A TEENAGER who survived a life-threatening brain tumour is holding a concert this weekend to raise funds for the hospital that treated him.
Reece Whitehead, 19, of Burnley, was diagnosed with the malignant brain tumour at the age of 10 and he was treated at the Christie Hospital, Manchester.
Reece will be performing at this year’s concert with his band YOU 62, which is named after the oncology unit, where Reece, a guitarist, met some of his bandmates.
The band is made up of people who have suffered, or are still suffering from, cancer, and it will be the first time they have performed live.
The funds raised from the concert will be used to buy musical equipment for the young oncology unit at the hospital.
A similar fundraiser was held last year and proved so successful that it has been expanded this year, with eight bands performing at the town’s Sanctuary Rock Bar this Saturday.
Reece said: “This is to try to get people into music because it does get boring in hospital.
"People can be in there for weeks on end so it’s important for them to keep their minds active.”
He added: “When I was in hospital I know it would have helped me.”
Dad Ian, 45, who runs a newsagent’s in Coal Clough Lane, has helped to organise this year’s event.
He said: “Last year’s event was a huge success and we hope this year’s will be even bigger and better.
“Last year some of the money was used to buy African drums and now the children in the unit regularly use them and enjoy playing them and creating music.”
The concert runs from 3pm to late at the Sanctuary Rock Bar, in Cow Lane, with entry £3 on the door.
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