A former pop music columnist has raised over £7,000 for charity from sales of his latest book.
Andy Park, 79, from Carlisle, wrote the column Andy’s Pop Talk for five years in the 1960s, which explored his encounters with top musicians including The Rolling Stones, The Who, Sandie Shaw, Roy Orbinson, The Bee Gees and more when they performed in Cumbria.
He has now spent over 50 years working in the music industry and has written two books retelling the tales of his incredible life.
His most recent book, Centre Stage, features reproductions of over 200 of his columns with extra stories mixed in – and all the proceeds from the book’s sales are going straight to The Cumberland Infirmary Cancer Centre.
The book recalls a time where Carlisle was second only to Liverpool for its music scene and remembers iconic venues including The Cosmo, The 101 Club, The Market Hall and The ABC Lonsdale where big names once played.
Andy said: “I wrote my first book which was my life story expecting it to sell less than 100 copies and I ended up selling over 700, so the end result was I produced my second book, Centre Stage, with all profits going to the Cancer Centre.
“The total amount raised since its launch date back in November is now at £7,500 and I am chuffed to bits. I am absolutely amazed with that.”
He added that many people around the county were donating more than the £20 cost of the book, with one couple in Silloth paying £100 for two copies.
Andy said: “The reason I chose the cancer centre is because my wife Margery is on chemo at the hospital, so that’s why everything from the book is going there.
“She has been getting treatment there for five years and she’s quite amazing because she goes for chemo and then the next day she’s off playing golf. I think it’s very much so mind over matter for her.”
The 79-year-old is aiming to hit the £10,000 mark with his fundraising and said he has so far had lots of positive feedback on the book.
He added: “If you’d said to me back in December I’d raised say £3,000 by now I would have been over the moon – never mind £7,500! I think I will reach the £10,000 target.”
On top of his fundraising through book sales, Andy has also organised a charity golf day, which will take place on Saturday June 17 at Stony Holme Golf Course.
It will be a Texas Scramble with teams of any four combination and entry is £60 per group.
Andy’s book Centre Stage is available to be purchased from Bookends in Carlisle, or, you can email Andy to purchase your copy at andypark8181@gmail.com.
To find out more about the charity golf day, you can visit Andy’s website by clicking here, Andy Park Promotions.
