Banding together for cancer charity

MUSICAL fundraiser Stevie Ellis has teamed up with The Troops to create a second CD in aid of cancer charity Macmillan.

The Springhead man heads a group of talented local musicians who have now recorded two albums to raise money in memory of a friend.

But the musicians had to face the tricky problem of guitarist and vocalist Stevie’s agoraphobia, which has made him virtually housebound.

He had to record his part at his home then send a copy to the studio where the rest of the band filled in around his recording.

Their first album, ironically named “Out and About”, in recognition of Stevie’s mammoth effort to leave his home and sit on the doorstep for a quick photograph for the cover, raised £1,000, and they handed over £800 to Macmillan and kept £200 to fund a second CD.

That is now out, entitled “Home Sweet Home”, and sports a picture of Stevie playing guitar in his house.

The inspiration for the album was one of Stevie’s lifelong friends, Kevin Owen, who died within weeks of being diagnosed with lung cancer. He was 55. He was well known locally as chauffeur to the Mayor of Oldham during the 1990s.

And it was the sight of two Macmillan nurses crying at the funeral which touched Stevie to the extent he pledged to do something to support the charity.

He recalled: “Kevin had lent me £200 to have a guitar fixed, but I never got round to it, so I thought I would give the money to Macmillan instead. Another friend, John Kirkham, suggested we use it to make more money.”

So the pair drafted in six fellow musicians — who all gave their time for free — to record an album to sell in aid of the charity.

Stevie added: “Hopefully we can achieve a similar amount with the sale of this CD. And at only £5, it is good value for a good charity.”

“Home Sweet Home” is available from a number of places including Premier Superstore, Springhead; and the 3Cs Club, Henshaw Street, Oldham. All proceeds to Macmillan.