LONELINESS and isolation are the biggest enemies for people living with or caring for someone with dementia, says Big Ian Donaghy, York musician and author of Dear Dementia: The Laughter And The Tears.

"Four walls and silence make poor company, but that is where the Harmony dementia café comes in," he points out.

"Every third Saturday it provides a free afternoon of food, drink and entertainment at St Aelred’s Community Hall in York."

Heather Lysiak, the dementia café co-ordinator, takes up the story as Ian prepares for Friday's fund-raising concert for the café, Big Ian's A Night To Remember at the Grand Opera House.

"Harmony Café makes such a difference to so many people in York affected by dementia," she says.

"The kindness and generosity of Big Ian’s amazing team in putting on A Night To Remember funds us for the whole year, where we can bring so much hope, support and happiness to many.

"Ian’s commitment to the cause means whatever we’ve asked for, he has sorted for us. He's even persuaded ASDA at Monks Cross to supply our food for the next three months, thanks to Angela Rennison."

A few equally persuasive phone calls from Big Ian also led to Sennheiser and Marshall Amplifiers donating a PA system and radio microphone for guest performers to use at the café.

The next Harmony café will take place on March 21 at 2pm and will be run, as always, by student volunteers from the University of York.

"When the two generations get together, magic happens," says Big Ian.

Heather is delighted by the impact of the café.

"We adore the music at the Harmony café. We are so lucky to have such great musicians come and play. It’s always a wonderful afternoon,” she says.

Meanwhile, Big Ian will be hosting Friday's A Night To Remember at 7.30pm, when George Hall will lead an acoustic house band and the stellar line-up of singers will feature Chris Helme, Heather Findlay, Boss Caine, Jess Morgan, Beth McCarthy, Graham Hodge and Toby Burras.

Taking part too will be The Y Street Band, guitarist Las Vegas Ken, Irish fiddler Kieran O'Malley and saxophonist Mick Donnelly, and the evening also will include films and photography made with children and people living with dementia in York.

"Every penny of ticket money goes direct to the Alzheimer's Society to be spent on projects in and around York," says Big Ian.

"The event is attracting major interest in the world of Alzheimer's and care with some very high-profile guests attending. Last year’s show blew people away with every act bringing their A-Game, raising £12,000 and funding the Harmony dementia cafe for a year."

Tickets cost £11 on 0844 8713044 or at atgtickets.com/shows/a-night-to-remember/grand-opera-house-york/.

Switalskis Solicitors will cover every cost of the show, so the charity is in profit before a single seat is sold.

"We're asking audience members to bring a raffle prize, no matter how small, to raise even more from the event," says Big Ian.