A blues gig has raised over £1,000 for charity.
Feel The Valentine Blues, at Grasslot Club in Maryport, was held on February 19. Organised by Graeme McGrory, of Dearham, it featured Hardwicke Circus, The Wilson Brothers, Slagbank with Roz Sluman and guests and raised £1004.36 for Alzheimer’s Society.
Graeme has organised Feel the Blues gigs since 2015 raise awareness of how music can help those affected by dementia.
He was inspired by his partner Ann Westcott and wanted to bring music to her as her Posterior Cortical Atrophy Alzheimer’s made it difficult for her to travel to the gigs. Graeme is supported in developing the events by Mark Howes.
The amount was made up of £270.58 net profit, donations and Alzheimer’s Badge sales of £202.28 with raffle proceeds of £531.50. Over £5,000 has now been raised for Alzheimer’s Society since 2015.
The raffle was sponsored by Carlisle Blues Festival, Feel The Blues, Hardwicke Circus, Wilson Brothers, Tropic Skincare with several Maryport businesses, Pixel, Portobello and Wright’s.
After the event Graeme said: “Many thanks to the musicians, Mark, raffle sponsors, and all Ann’s Feel The Blues friends who filled the club and raised funds for Alzheimer’s Society.”
The next event is Feel The Rival Blues with UK Blues forum finalists Brave Rival, Mama Sang Blues Band and Reiver at Grasslot Club on May 28.
Wristbands, £10, are available from www.toptablepromotions.co.uk plus Billy Bowman’s, Cockermouth, HMV Carlisle and Workington and Stitched Up in Maryport.
Feel The Bonfire Blues will be held at The Source Collective in Carlisle on November 5.
