This is a gig for my very good friends the Bates Family. Bill Bates has been recording my forthcoming album. Here’s what it’s all about:

A special evening featuring the magic music of ANNA RYDER, BOB BROOKER, BRIAN PHILLIPS and JOHN KEARNEY to raise funds for Bill and Louise Bates son Matt Bates. Matt was diagnosed with kidney cancer in Oct 2014. Six months later it spread to his right lung, chest and neck. However, in Dec 2015 he started a promising immunotherapy treatment, given on the NHS but based at Christie’s, more than 100 miles from his family home. For Matt’s family to stay with him while he’s in hospital, they must pay for local hotels. As he needs up to 6 cycles of treatment and has to stay in hospital for 12 days at a time these costs are currently spiralling. The Bates family and Matt’s girlfriend have been absolutely stalwart throughout Matt’s diagnoses and treatment they have been under immense financial and emotional strain. To have this pressure alleviated (even a little) would mean the world to them all. To date, Matt’s had 2 cycles of treatment, both of which have involved his parents taking time off work to stay up in Manchester with him. He has 4 more to go!