Drummer Neil Booth
A Clifton Hospital cancer patient is ‘drumming’ up support for a skin cancer charity.
Neil Booth, 65, from Wigan, has offered to play with his band The Diamond Geezers at an event to raise money for a skin cancer fundraising event as a thank you for his care.
This is the fourth fundraising event that has been organised by Clifton’s Skin Cancer Care Coordinator, Michelle Forsyth, to raise money for Skcin, the Karen Clifford Skin Cancer charity.
Neil said: “I was diagnosed with Melanoma in 2015. I think it’s fair to say it came as a shock. I’d always loved the sun but with my dark skin never thought it would happen to me.
“When I heard Michelle was organising a charity night to raise awareness of skin cancer I was only too pleased to help and see it as a way of saying thank you for the fantastic care I have received – I can’t praise it enough.
“The care I have had has been second to none from the surgeon who performed my surgery to the excellent after care I have received from Heather Baines and her team at Clifton, not forgetting to mention Michelle who is so passionate about raising the awareness of skin cancer.
“Of course I can’t do this on my own so have to thank my band mates for giving their time and support for this very worthy cause that is close to mine and my family’s’ hearts.”
Michelle Forsyth with a poster for the event
Michelle is an ambassador for Skcin, which raises awareness through education, promoting prevention and early detection of skin cancer.
Money previously raised through Michelle’s events have gone towards promoting sun safety and supplying local schools and nurseries with a special playground board that dispenses sun cream.
She said: “I’m really happy that Neil and his band have offered to provide the entertainment for the evening. I hope lots of people come along and enjoy their music and comedy as well as raising money for an excellent cause.”
The event is being held at the Ashley Club, Victoria Road East, Thornton-Cleveleys, FY5 5HQ from 7pm. The Diamond Geezers cover 60s and 70s music and vintage pop. No tickets required – pay on the door.
If you are a business or educational establishment and would like Michelle to advise you about sun safety, you can email her: Michelle.Forsyth@bfwhospital.nhs.uk