Music fundraiser to make cash for Motor Neurone Disease (From Dorset Echo)

Music fundraiser to make cash for Motor Neurone Disease

10:00am Tuesday 5th March 2013 in News By Catherine Bolado

SPENSTOCK 5 will be hitting all the right notes in a bid to raise as much money to battle Motor Neurone Disease as possible.

The night of live music will be held in memory of Balance of Power drummer Spencer Bates, who passed away in August 2011 after battling Motor Neurone Disease.

Spencer raised more than £30,000 with the event he set up and organised – and inspired his family to take on the legacy.

The event will take place at Weymouth Pavilion on Friday, April 12 and starts at 7.30pm.

This year his family are hoping to raise thousands more. The money will go directly to helping people in West Dorset affected by the degenerative condition.

The money will help to provide light writers for when people battling MND lose the power of speech and for any equipment they may need, or taxis to help them to and from appointments.

Spencer’s mum Mary Bates said this year they were looking forward to performances from Replay, Restless and The Mighty Fine. There will also be a raffle and tombola with lots of prizes.

She said the money would go to help local people and there were 20 families in West Dorset with someone battling the condition at present.

MND affects both children and adults – in adults it occurs most commonly in men and women over the age of 40.

She said: “It’s those 20 families we are trying to help. No one knows who’s next – that’s the frightening thing.”

She added: “We’re hoping people will come out and help us to remember Spencer and to carry on his dream of helping other people.”

Mrs Bates said that MND was on the increase.

She said: “Whether it’s getting recognised more or it’s on the increase.

“We need the money to not only to help the families but to also fund research.”

Mrs Bates said thought about her son every day.

She said: “He’s not forgotten. Everyone I see who knew him says we miss Spencer.”

Mrs Bates added: “We just remember him for how brave he was and how he dealt with it.

“He dealt with it so bravely – he was an inspiration for a lot of people.”

She urged people to get involved and support the event and the Pavilion.

She said: “Come and support us and the Pavilion so we can keep it going.”

Tickets are still only £10, and are available from Elise Services in St Thomas Street, Weymouth and the Wyke Smugglers pub in Wyke Regis – or people can purchase tickets by calling Mary Bates on 07979 494649.