A message from Tony
In September 2009 I was diagnosed with bowel cancer at the age of 44. Thankfully after three operations (including stoma and reversal) plus various sessions of radio and chemotherapy my personal journey has been very positive.
The outcome could have been much different and sadly is for as many as 50 people EVERY day! That’s why I’m very grateful to the staff that looked after me so well and have a personal goal to raise as much funds as possible to help in the ongoing fight against the many forms of cancer but predominately that of bowel cancer.
I started in May 2010 by volunteering and managing a small charity called Support Your Bowel (The founders are my consultant surgeon and two of the specialists nurses whom I owe so much and I still help SYB on a part-time basis). The initial goal was to raise over £63,000 for a new Endorectal Ultrasound Machine within 5 years; we accomplished this by raising an astonishing £80,000+ within 20 months (with the amazing support of the North Tees & Hartlepool Trust).
The support I have had from the music industry in particular has been phenomenal. The MvC Live Sessions are now an eagerly awaited sell out event which have attracted the support of artists such as Turin Brakes, Jack Savoretti, The Temperance Movement, Broken Witt Rebels, Nizlopi, The Blow Monkeys, Scott Matthews, The Magic Numbers, The Dunwells, Son of Dave, JJ Rosa, Z-Star, Jon Allen, David McAlmont & Guy Davies; Fingersnap, Bite The Buffalo, Paper Aeroplanes, Black (Colin Vearncombe), The Lake Poets, Kimberly Anne, Tim Gallagher, Sonny, Vince Freeman, Antonio Lulic, Kal Lavelle, Robbie Cavanagh, Jake Morley, James Craise, Liz Lawrence, Karima Francis, Phil Campbell, Ryan Spendlove, Aaron Wright, Chris Helme, Sam Brookes, Dan Cook, Jon Coley, Robert Bearsby, Jonny The Firth, Hayley Gaftarnick, Mr Gary Stewart & The Tin Foil Collective, Duncan Townsend and the list continues to grow.
Signed memorabilia continues to come in for auctions/online raffles and many guitar signings are now organised for the online guitar raffles that MvC organise. Stars supporting include Paul Weller, The Arctic Monkeys, Ed Sheeran, Kasabian, Royal Blood, Stereophonics, Paolo Nutini, James Blunt, Kaiser Chiefs, The Temperance Movement, Jessie J, Rival Sons, Glenn Hughes, Joe Bonamassa, Train, Frank Turner, Cast, Beverley Knight, The Wonder Stuff, The Levellers, Imelda May, We Are Scientists, Roger Daltery, Howard Jones, Paul Heaton, Rumer, Lissie, Friendly Fires etc…
Whilst I’m back in full time employment my commitment to the two charities is stronger than ever particularly following my wife’s breast cancer diagnosis in Dec 2018. Thankfully she is now fully recovered.
Since the Pandemic the Live Sessions took a back seat particularly as the wonderful home of MvC Live Sessions, The Grand Hotel, Hartlepool unfortunately closed its doors. Fast forward and May 2023 saw the launch of MUSICvCANCER ART! Exciting times ahead.
The goal remains simple “raise as much funds as possible to make a real difference in the ongoing fight against the many forms of cancer; awareness is key”
I couldn’t possibly list all of the people who have helped and supported me with everything that’s been achieved but YOU know who you are.
THANK YOU
Tony…
Tony Larkin
Founder
Registered Charity No. 1057682
Part of the North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Trust Foundation
