Topic: Matt Long - Go Fund Me appeal

Matt Long will not be a new or strange name to music fans in the UK and around Europe; lead guitar & vocals with the award winning band Catfish as well as cutting out with his own act, Matt Long & The Revenant Ones as well as backing singer such as Alice Armstrong and is a much loved guy, on and off stage.

What you may not have known is that for the last year, Matt has been battling bowel cancer. However, despite surgery and chemo, his latest scan shows that the cancer has spread into his liver and stomach lining. His cancer team have said although there is the option of trying a different type of chemo, they don’t hold out much hope that it will cure him and is likely to at best extend his life a little.

There's a chance of a new treatment in the USA; to have a sample of the tumour sequenced which will give us the maximum amount of information on its make up, which will then show the cancer team exactly what drugs to use to damage it - to either slow it down, or there is just a small chance that they may be able to kill it. The only access to this treatment is via the private route which is going to be expensive - just the sequencing, which involves sending a sample of the tumour to the USA to a specialist lab, is a little under £3k and any drugs will apparently be about £3k a month after that. Matt's family are looking to raise any level of "fighting fund" to get treatment started.

His family have set up a Go Fund Me page to help pay for Matt’s treatment. If you can spare anything, please donate via the link below.

https://gofund.me/3c38138c

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...

Re: Matt Long - Go Fund Me appeal

One of my favourite venues, Darlington Forum, is holding a charity night June 28th of live music organised by Mike Prendergast, in support of Matt Long's fund raising appeal.

Taking part are: - John verity; Ash Wilson; Rebecca Downes; Andrew Pipe; Emma Wilson & Lorna Fothergill
along with special "House band": - Jamie Pipe (Keyboards); Steve Amadeo (Bass); Alvin Sephton (drums) + guests tba.

Tickets £25...

Saltburn Blues Club at a recent gig raise over £150 at with a quickly announced charity auction.

If anyone hears of any other related events, SHOUT UP!!!

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...

Re: Matt Long - Go Fund Me appeal

Other Stand Together Against Cancer concerts so far announced: -

Milton Keynes - The Stables; 30th June  (£45)
Featuring: - Brave Rival; Kris Barras; When Rivers Meet; Will Wilde; Chantel McGregor; Cinelli Brothers; Alice Armstrong

Luton - The Bear Club; June 1st  (£20)
Featuring: - Verity/Bromham Band; Robin Bibi; Big Wolf Band

Staines - Thameside Brewery; 19th May
Featuring: - Laurence Jones; Greg Coulson; True Strays; Mike Ross; Alice Armstrong; Bad Influence; Thomas Heppell;
                  Martin Abrahams Band

Broadstairs - Wrotham Arms; 8th May (tix - Call Jackie at the Wrotham - 07814 344969)
Featuring: - Zac Schulze; Phil Woollett/John Doe Trio; Katie Bradley; Nigel Feist; Dave Good; Dudley Ross

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...

Re: Matt Long - Go Fund Me appeal

Update from Mike Prendergast, one of the organisers of Darlington's Charity night in support of Matt Long: -

I've finally got all the money sorted from Friday's Matt Long Fundraiser at the Forum in Darlington.
Minus expenses, we made a total of £2,882:25.
It would have been nice to reach £3k, but we weren't too far off!
Thanks again to all the musicians who put on a brilliant show and for giving up their time and travelled long (and short) distances to play for us.
A big thank you also to everyone who attended and financially supported the Darlington event, and for helping make it a very memorable event.
Cheers, Mike

When life gives you lemons; don't make lemonade.
Give back the lemons.  Why were the lemons free?  What's wrong with the lemons?
Do Not trust the lemons...