A very generous donation from the Canadian Sixties Club

[Newliverman]

Hi
A very Merry Christmas to everyone! My Christmas has been made all the Merrier because I have received a very kind donation from the Sixties Music Club in Toronto for the sum of £553.81 towards the charity I have been supporting for the last number of years 'Rays of Hope'. The charity supports research into diseases of the liver e.g Liver cancer and other rare diseases which I suffered from Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC). I had 2 liver transplants and 3 major operations in the last 5 years and during that time I started playing Shadows music after 46 years. In the sixties I played rhythm guitar in a local group and covered one or two Shads numbers. My introduction to the guitar was through seeing Hank on that fender strat. and hearing that sound like many thousands of other people. From the day I started playing to this very day I have the Shadows to thank for many years of happiness and friendships I have experienced and shared along the road.
After undergoing all the major surgery, I had to focus on getting myself well again and what better way than to start learning such lovely music. Ofcourse you have to put up with all the side effects (hand tremor) of the drugs which I have to take but it saves the need of a tremolo arm!!
I joined the East Yorkshire Club through contacting Ian Harper and from then on in it opened a huge new part of my life and I found that the people who go along to these events are some of the nicest people you are likely to meet. The story progresses through going to events like Shadowmania and meeting the guys themselves! At one such event I met with a guy called Steve Valentine who lived in Canada and had come over especially for Shadowmania. My meeting with Steve has led to this wonderful donation in support of the Charity. The surgeons are over the moon with such great support. Steve donated a Godin guitar personally and Carparelli guitars donated a Les Paul copy to raffle for the charity. A big thanks to all the guys in Canada.
During these last 5 years I have raised a total of over £8000 and included in that sum is £2800 for Rays of Hope from my CD 'Ray of Hope' and doing the odd gig with Licorice. Any monies I receive go towards the charity. It is the least I can do for the St James's Liver unit in Leeds. They save hundreds of lives each year. I recently visited the research labs to see the on going work of highly qualified and talented staff.
Why have I posted this story? I felt people should know about the generosity, strong friendships and kindness that are formed through the Shadows music community. I often see comments on the site which sadden me, as to my cost, I found out how valuable life is and too short to be negative towards others.
Lets enjoy the music, share the experiences positively, and most of all the very good friendships which have come out of the 4 guys who formed a group who eventually became the Shadows 50 yrs ago.
Merry Christmas to all.

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[Bluesnote]

Nice post Tony. Thanks for that, makes you think how fortunate you are not having had to suffer as you have in the past.
Music is a great way to help in our recovery from illnesses in one form or another. I had a recovery period myself of a couple of years due to an operation I had, and re-learning the Shads stuff as well as other music kept me pointing in the right direction.
It definately beats all the meds they dole out I found
Best anti-depressant ever

[Paul Creasey]

GREAT news, Tony!!
Keep up the good work, and have a Happy Christmas!
Regards
Paul

[petercreasey]

[Newliverman]

Thank you all for your comments. Peter and Paul you were missed at the club last Sunday for the Christmas lunch which was excellent. The day went very well.
Regards
Tony

[Rich Cowling]

Excellent news from Canada Tony....played well Sunday we enjoyed the meet..talk to you over the holiday ....Rich