Storeman's event raises £1,000 for baby unit

Mark Taylor, who works in the stores department at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, organised a gig night with colleague Lisa Walton that clearly struck the right chord with bands and music lovers.

The event, held at the Stanley Ward Conservative Club in Blackpool, raised £1,003 with the proceeds going to the neonatal unit at the hospital, a spokesman said.

Mark said: “We have organised this event for a few years now and the bands always support us.

“The night takes six months to organise but thanks to their support and the backing we had from the Stanley Ward club and their staff it was a great night and I can’t thank everyone enough.’’

Bands that played included The AC/DC Experience, Joe Mercel and the Sweet Aspirations, English Electro, The Getsettes, Twelve Paces and Free Roll.

Ann Hedley, interim head of fundraising for Blue Skies Hospitals Fund, the hospital’s in-house charity, said: “It’s great when a community comes together to enjoy something like this and to raise money for a good cause.

“Mark’s enthusiasm and commitment shines through and, for me, it’s great that no one had to wade through the mud of a field to enjoy such great music. We can’t thank him enough for his continuing support.’’

Blue Skies is the only charity dedicated to enhancing care at the Victoria Hospital, in Whinney Heys Road.

To learn more about holding an event to help, visit www.bfwh.nhs.uk/blueskies