Rock, pop and soul for MND fundraiser

BIG-HEARTED musicians are preparing to stage another Rock For MND Scotland in Rothes next month.

A host of local talent will gather at The Grant Hall, in Rothes, on Saturday, September 14, after last year’s Rock For MND Scotland raised £1854 to raise awareness of motor neurone disease and funds for MND Scotland's research in memory of Craigellachie man James Combe, a music lover, who bravely battled the disease.

All performers will be donating their time and talent and organiser Mark Aldridge promises a great night out and is aiming for another sell-out.

Local businesses Glenfarclas and Walkers have already donated to the cause.

This year’s line-up of local talent, including The Fireflies, new Moray five-piece band MacTa, and students from Moray Music Lessons, will belt out rock, soul and pop hits. All profits will go to the charity.

The Fireflies emerged from a planned one-off performance at Craigellachie Hall in 2016 during a special party for colleagues, friends and family of James after his diagnosis. They pooled talents to raise money for various charities including the Rock for ReMission and Songs For Amelia fundraisers for Juvenile Dermatomyositis (JDM), Motor Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and MND Scotland.

Gig organisers are also keen to provide a platform for Moray's up-and-coming musicians. They have asked youngsters from Moray Music Lessons to open the fundraiser.

Iain McWhirter, head of fundraising at MND Scotland, said: "I’d like to thank all of the organisers and partners of the Rock for MND event for all they are doing to raise awareness of motor neurone disease and funds for MND Scotland.

"Last year, their event raised an incredible £1854 to help fund our vital services and to power cutting-edge MND research. We’re grateful for the ongoing support of the local community in Moray and we wish the organisers the very best in making this year’s event as successful as last."

MND is a rapidly progressing terminal illness which stops signals from the brain reaching the muscles. This can cause sufferers to lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, drink or breathe unaided. There is no cure or effective treatment for MND and the average life expectancy from diagnosis is just 18 months.

Gig-goers are asked to bring their own bottle. Under-18s must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets, priced £8.50 if booked in advance or £11.25 standard price, are available from Sound and Vision in Elgin, on 01343 543778; McColls in Rothes, 01340 831869; The Gather’n Café in Aberlour, on 01340 881749; L&C McBain in Dufftown, on 01340 820361; or online at www.skiddle.com.

Donations to the cause can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/RockForMNDScotland2019.

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