Concert fundraiser for Noah Banks, six (From York Press)

Concert fundraiser for Noah Banks, six

10:19am Thursday 1st November 2012 in Fundraising fun

A FUNDRAISING concert will be held in support of a Selby boy’s appeal to walk unaided for the first time.

Noah Banks, aged six, was born eight weeks prematurely and spent the first four weeks of his life in intensive care. He was later diagnosed with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy and his family were told he may never walk.

He is set to undergo selective dorsal rhizotomy at Leeds General Infirmary on November 15, a procedure which will help him to walk without the need of a frame, thanks to a £20,000 fundraising effort by Noah’s friends and family, but another £20,000 will still be needed to pay towards aftercare and physiotherapy.

On November 24, a special gig will be held at The Riverside, Selby, featuring six bands from Lincolnshire, Sheffield, York, and Leeds, who have all agreed to appear for free, and with all proceeds going to Noah’s Appeal.

Gareth Mitchell, owner of Eclectric Promotions, has organised the gig with Ian Wright from The Riverside, and said: “I’m really chuffed to be doing this for Noah, and hope that everyone can make it down on November 24 and make the night a success.”

Last Saturday, Castleford attraction Diggerland donated half their day’s takings to Noah’s appeal, after they met Noah and his family. Noah, who attends Eggborough Primary School, has two younger brothers – Daniel, aged four, and Peter, aged one.

Noah’s mother, Julie, wrote on the event’s Facebook page: “It sounds brilliant. Noah will be in hospital then so we won’t be able to make it, but we’ll certainly promote it as much as we can.”

She said: “We don’t know how much has been raised by Diggerland at the moment, but a cheque will be on its way this week.

“We contacted the club a while back and asked if they could do something for Noah, and they said they’d try to get something sorted. That’s what they’ve done, it’s fantastic, they have been lovely, as have everyone in the town, busineses and people. We really appreciate it.”

Entry to the gig costs £2, and more information is available at the venue, or on the Noah’s Appeal Facebook page, and donations can be made by emailing noahsappeal@live.co.uk or visit justgiving.com/JULIE-BANKS2