A Manchester seven-year-old battling multiple brain tumours has inspired a family festival that’s billed as a ‘love-filled celebration of music, comedy, poetry and family fun.’
The ‘Blaise Together’ fundraiser festival will be held on Saturday 8 September at New Burnage Sports Club (12pm to 8pm) in the club’s playing fields and entry is free.
Happy Mondays’ singer Rowetta and MC Tunes are among the big-hearted stars performing for free on stage at the all day festival, which will also include a stellar line-up of top DJs, a gospel choir, comedians and performers.
The festival promises plenty of family activities, including a kids’ treasure hunt, glitter face painting, a tombola, yoga, a human fruit machine, rides and much more. Proceeds will go to a special crowdfunder to send Blaise on a magical trip of a lifetime.
Blaise was diagnosed in 2018 with multiple brain tumours – one the size of a satsuma – and went on to endure major surgery, chemotherapy and several brutal rounds of radiotherapy.
Since then, his dad Chris aka DJ ‘Chris Jam’, and wife Rachel have fought tirelessly to support him through treatment, while enduring devastating financial hardship after having to give up their jobs to care for him.
There is currently no medical treatment available to cure Blaise’s tumours but his medical team has managed to find a trial medication that has up to now stabilised growth. It has allowed music and football mad Blaise to regain most of his weight but he still needs a feeding tube.
With his confidence is slowly coming back his family want to give him lots to live for and that includes as many magical memories as possible.
Dad Chris, who lives in Didsbury, says: “We are really touched by the love and compassion behind this festival and to all our friends who have come forward to create it. This will be a love-filled day of music, comedy, poetry and family fun. We hope as many Manchester people as possible come along and join us in a precious day celebrating life and love. Due to his health issues he’s unable to travel too far despite his dream to go to Animal Kingdom in Florida but he’s having a lot fun looking at places nearer to home. We just need the funds to make it possible.”
Happy Mondays’ singer Rowetta said: “Blaise’s dad Chris toured with the Mondays in the 90s as part of the Jam MCs, so when we heard about his son’s brave battle, I was happy to come on board and support Blaise Together. Chris and his family are going through one of the hardest tests anyone can endure, so any help anyone can give is so welcomed.”
A special fundraiser raffle will be held at Blaise Together and any local businesses or individuals wishing to offer items or contribute to the festival’s food or entertainment offerings are urged to contact the organisers: cometogether4blaise@gmail.com.
To donate to the Blaise Together crowdfunder go to: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/blaisetogether
