A new CD by Rothwell Temperance Band recorded to support cancer patients at Leeds Cancer Centre has just been released.
Entitled 'Lago — The Music of Simon Kerwin' it's the brainchild of Director of event and publishing company Mode for... Tabby Kerwin, in memory of her husband, who passed away in November 2018 following treatment for a Germ Cell Tumour.
Benefit
Sales will benefit 'Jacqui's Million' an appeal set up by her friend and patient Jacqui Drake, with hospital charity Leeds Cares. The appeal hopes to raise £1 million for patients at Leeds Cancer Centre and was recently boosted with wonderful donation of £5270 from Tabby and her company.
Simon Kerwin was a well-respected musician, with over 1,000 compositions and arrangements to his name as well as being the respected Bandmaster of the Nottinghamshire Band of the Royal Engineers.
Musical legacy
Tabby told 4BR: "I wanted to celebrate my husband's life and musical legacy and at the same time continue to raise funds for the cancer centre that looked after him so wonderfully.
Having previously raised funds by running the Great North Run and London Marathon, it was important to me to use our love of music to benefit others and I wanted to turn the first anniversary of his death into a celebration of music."
Support
Tabby added: "It's also very important to me to support my friend Jacqui Drake and her wonderful mission to raise £1 million via the 'Jacqui's Million' appeal, as these funds go directly to the welfare of the cancer patients."
The CD, recorded by KMJ Recordings and the first on the Mode for ... label, features music composed or arranged by Simon and has been performed by Rothwell Temperance under Musical Director David Roberts.
"The band is outstanding and they have supported Simon, me and the project so much,"Tabby said. "I'm truly grateful for their kind support and musicianship and their part in raising funds for the cause close to all our hearts as a donation from the sale of CDs has gone to this great charity."
Donation
Tabby has also donated nine personal CD players and 25 copies of the CD to be available to patients receiving chemotherapy, as well as 25 further copies of the CD with 100% of the money from sales going to Jacqui's Million.
"Music is a wonderful therapy and I want patients receiving treatment to be able to relax as they undertake their treatment regimes. I'm delighted that the music can not only raise much needed money, but will also help with the mental health of patients as they undergo treatment."
I wanted to celebrate my husband's life and musical legacy and at the same time continue to raise funds for the cancer centre that looked after him so wonderfullyTabby Kerwin
Benefit
In response to the news, Leeds Cares Head of Community Fundraising Sharon Link told 4BR: "This wonderful album, along with gift of CD players, is a fantastic project to benefit patients undergoing treatment.
The continued generosity of people like Tabby helps us to enhance the healthcare environment and enables Leeds Cancer Centre to deliver the best outcomes for patients across Leeds, Yorkshire and beyond."
The CD can be purchased from www.modeforpublishing.com