A DRUMMER from Weymouth is organising a fundraising gig for a motor neurone disease charity after learning he has the illness.

Spencer Bates, who plays with the band Balance of Power, was diagnosed with the incurable disease last year and has been getting help from the West Dorset branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA).

The father-of-three now hopes to raise around £6,000 for the charity with a night of live music, dubbed Spenstock, at Weymouth Pavilion’s Ocean Room in February.

Mr Bates, 48, was diagnosed last September and has already had to give up his job as a builder.

He has drummed for Balance of Power for six years and plans to play with them at Spenstock as a thank you to MNDA.

He said: “It was my idea to do this because MNDA have been really good to me.

“I’m hoping enough people know me from playing with Balance of Power will support this.”

Spencer’s wife of 11 years, Nicky, said the first signs of her husband’s illness came when he began slurring his speech last year.

Following months of tests to rule out other illnesses, doctors finally diagnosed Mr Bates with motor neurone disease.

Mr and Mrs Bates, of Dawlish Crescent, Wyke Regis, have two children, Samuel, six and Isaac, three, and Mr Bates also has another son from a previous relationship.

Mrs Bates, 32, said: “He’s still the same person everyone knows but he’s obviously got a lot on his plate at the moment and a lot to think about.

“He’s just getting on with things and making the best of it all, but it’s an awful lot to take in, for all of us.”

The doors for Spenstock will open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start on Friday, February 5 at Weymouth Pavilion’s Ocean Room.

Balance of Power will be supported by Elton John impersonator Ed Hintze, Tina Turner tribute act The Best and Blow with Nicky Bates on vocals.

Also performing are Blue Sin, Space Cadets and acoustic trio Mel, Tom and Ben.

Tickets are £10 each and are available from Weymouth businesses Elise Services, Limelight, Finns and The Wyke Smugglers.

There will be a tombola, auction and raffle, with prizes including signed Premier League football shirts and a pair of boxing gloves signed by Henry Cooper. The gig is being sponsored by Whitcombe Moneymusk stables.

For more information call Barbara Whiteside on 07771 560466.