It’s been two years since our last night of fun, friends, music and laughter, and we are back once again because although there have been huge leaps in research, there is still no cure for Motor Neurone Disease.We stand true to our word that until a cure is found, we will not stop our awareness raising and fundraising. And so....following our fantastically-supported bucket collection at Hillsborough last year (UTO!) we go again for Band Night: 3.0 The Trilogy! Putting the fun into FUNdraising is our speciality subject, we like to think.

We continue to use our own personal experience, as well as be inspired by the legacy of brave Rob Burrow, who, alongside his beautiful family and incredible friend Kevin Sinfield, showed the world what true friendship looks like and brought light to the harsh reality of this disease. We have to keep fighting, keep raising money, and keep raising awareness for all the MND warriors out there. Too many loved ones have been lost. No cure means no end to our fundraising and awareness raising!

Chesterfield continues to be heavily impacted by MND, with too many we know locally and further afield being impacted or having been affected.

Event Details

Location: The Riverside, Chesterfield

What to Expect: An amazing night of live music, fun, brilliant company, and fantastic raffle prizes.

This is why we continue the fight. All funds raised will go to the Mel Evans MBE Foundation to fund ethical research, support families, and ultimately help find a cure.

Get your tickets whilst they are available! Don't be late and miss out.

Contact: Lorna Jane, Richard Brail, Vanessa Gregory, Clare Lynam or Kirsty Linacre on Facebook.

Phone: Lorna on 07847537558 or Kirsty on 07828194456

Tickets sell out fast, so please don't wait to grab yours!

A massive thank you to Rosie Walsh, Kian Mosley, Stu Rickards, Derventio and Darren Mosley for donating their incredible musical talents, and to The Riverside for hosting us! Hopefully, we will be adding in other extras. Keep an eye out for fantastic raffle prizes and if you would like to offer prizes or to sponsor a table or other items (from £100) then please just contact us.

See below our personal reasons why FUNdraising is so important to us! You'll see that this is very personal to us!!

LORNA AND RICHARD’S STORY: CHRIS — AMAZING DAD, GRANDAD, UNCLE, BROTHER AND GOOD FRIEND

Dad loved a good knees-up, and that’s exactly what this night is all about. For those who didn’t know him, Chris was a wonderful Dad, Grandad, brother, uncle, and friend. He loved the outdoors, walking challenges, and his beloved Derbyshire. Following local walks, he began stumbling and tripping, which we initially laughed off, but then came back problems, a chiropractor visit, and then a referral to a neurologist. From there the hellish journey unfolded.

From diagnosis to losing Dad was a sad, rapid decline of just nine months. His mobility, independence, and health deteriorated rapidly. He went from completing the Inca Trail to struggling with a 50-metre walk, even with 2 sticks, and eventually faced severe difficulties with swallowing, speaking and breathing. He was only the second person to have a diaphragmatic pacer fitted, but sadly, the surgery brought no relief, and he had to rely on a ventilator mask he hated. We even brought our wedding date forward so he could be there, but we tragically lost him just two weeks before.

Dad was at the heart of our families — loving his grandkids, playing with the cats, cheering on Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough (ok - or sometimes crying), visiting new places, taking in strays and enjoying a pint at the local. We'd give anything to have him here with us now.

KIRSTY’S STORY: LIVING WITH FAMILIAL MND

In 1990, when I was 14, I lost my grandad to MND. Years later, my warrior aunt received the same diagnosis, fighting for three years before we lost her too. That was when the haunting question entered my mind: Is this familial?

In 2018, my matriarchal mum started showing weakness in her right hand. We both silently knew what was happening. Mum received her official diagnosis in August 2018, and we buried her two months later, just a week after her 64th birthday.

Posthumous genetic testing confirmed our worst fear: our family carries the SOD-1 faulty gene, meaning my brother and I each have a 50% chance of having inherited it. This diagnosis impacts our entire extended family.

Recently, the cruelty of this disease struck our family yet again. My aunt — Mum’s eldest sister — received a diagnosis. That now makes 3 out of 5 siblings diagnosed with SOD-1 ALS/MND.

I have chosen not to be tested right now. Instead, I am turning fear into action — raising awareness and funds while I am fit and able. Every time I stumble or slur a word, the thought crosses my mind, but my focus remains on fighting for future generations so no other family has to go through this.

TOM’S STORY: REMEMBERING GRANDAD KEITH

Grandad Keith was diagnosed with MND in 2014 and fought bravely for 5 years.

I have so many fond memories growing up with him on the farm — feeding cows and sheep, baling, and cutting wood. When I was 13, he taught me to drive his 1973 Series 3 Land Rover in the fields, telling me, "If you get into any trouble, slow down and I'll try and jump in." Later, he taught me to drive the tractor.

He inspired my career in engineering. I remember taking apart a Stihl chainsaw down to every single part to clean out sawdust; I bet him it would never work again, but he rebuilt it perfectly. He built my Tamiya remote control truck from scratch for Christmas and put on massive 2-hour firework displays every Bonfire Night followed by his famous lasagne.

MND took him far too soon. I wish I could have ten minutes with him today to tell him how much he shaped my life and career. I’ll be back soon to carry on the fundraising!