A TRIBUTE to Freddie Mercury on the tenth anniversary of his death will help raise vital funds for the Special Care Baby Unit at York District Hospital.

The flamboyant frontman of rock group Queen will be remembered at the concert at The Barbican in York on Saturday November 24.

All the money raised from the event will help the unit buy two new ventilators.

A York-based tribute band, Kings of Queen, have organised the event and they will be performing free of charge.

Senior singers from Queen Ethelburga's College Choir will perform backing vocals on three songs during the concert.

Most of the cost of staging the event has been covered by generous sponsorship by local businesses. The Barbican has also reduced its hire charge so that as much money as possible can go towards buying the new ventilators.

The much-needed ventilators cost £20,000 each and the band hopes to give the fundraising appeal a real boost.

They first got to know staff at the unit when a former member had a baby who was cared for at the unit.

The band have since been asked by the unit to perform at various fundraising events but they have so far been unable to because of prior commitments.

The two-hour concert starts at 7.30pm on November 24 and tickets costing £10 are available from the Barbican box office on 01904 656688.

Updated: 11:59 Monday, September 03, 2001