Alan drums up extra support

Fundraiser Alan Taylor (front) with Random Harvest (from the left) Richard Leicester, John Firth and Brian Leicester

A VINTAGE motorcycle enthusiast who is gearing up for a charity Land’s End to John O’Groats ride next month, called on his musical talents to slip in another fundraising event.
Alan Taylor organised the epic journey for Oldham’s Link4Pink appeal as a way of saying “thank-you” to the people who cared for him when he was diagnosed with bowel cancer.

He is still recovering from treatment and, unfit to return to work as a fitter and welder, he decided to put his spare time to good use.

“I had the best care I could get, and I always said if I came out of it I would give something back,” said Alan.

The 55-year-old from Chadderton decided to stage a concert featuring local bands, and called on a friend, Brian Leicester to help him.

“I couldn’t have done it without him,” said Alan. “I mithered and mithered him, and he arranged for bands to take part in what was a fantastic night.”

The event, at Royton Conservative Club, raked in £1,139, and Alan’s family links with the band Fairport Convention netted another £550 from the sale of two charity tickets for a three-day music festival in Cropredy, Oxford.

Alan said: “The support I have had has been unbelievable, and I’m almost up to the £2,000 target I set myself, with the bike ride and another gig yet to come.”

Alan thanked the people who gave their time without charge to make the concert a success. They are the Hometowners and Tony Dones, the Legplaiters and Friends, Random Harvest and its drummer, John Firth, who created the posters, the Tony Kennedy Band and Daniel Power for his PA system.

The next fundraising concert, which features four bands, is on Friday, July 3, at Chadderton Social and Bowling Club.

Alan will ride out of town — from the Royal Oldham Hospital — on his vintage Yamaha XS1100 Midnight Special on Friday, May 22.

Anyone who wants to sponsor him can contact him on 0161-284 3134, or log on to www.justgiving/ala nsbiketour