A MAN who is battling leukaemia is organising a charity night in memory of one of his friends who died after suffering from the same disease.

Simon Ashworth, from Norton, has brought together local bands to help raise funds for Bloodwise, formerly Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, and Candlelighters, the children’s cancer charity.

The 60-year-old was diagnosed with leukaemia 11 years ago. His friend and bandmate Harvey Pettit, also from Norton, died in 2014 after suffering a chest infection which had been brought on by complications following a bone marrow transplant at the age of 20.

Simon, a singer and songwriter, said: “I first met Harvey as a young teenager.

“He was just brilliant and loved everything about music.

“We later played together in the band Ten Car Pile Up and it was amazing to have him and his brother Lucas with myself and the older guys playing together.”

Simon said he was aware of Harvey’s battle with leukaemia when he was diagnosed with a chronic form of the disease.

“At the time I was very lucky as I was only the second person in the area to be given a new drug which saved me having a bone marrow transplant,” he said.

“I will never get rid of it, but the drugs keep the leukaemia in place and although sometimes I feel very tired, which is beyond a normal tiredness, I try to keep going and stay positive.”

Simon first held a music fundraiser shortly after Harvey’s death and had planned to hold it annually.

“Unfortunately I just didn’t have the energy, but as the last event was so successful, I decided I really needed to do it again and I have the help of Harvey’s parents, David and Jackie,” he said.

“Local businesses have also been brilliant with HPE Print doing the posters free of charge and lots of others giving some amazing raffle prizes.”

Simon said there would be a wide variety of music on the night, including DeBris, The Habiteers, Dan Webster, the Rich Hardcastle Band, Hypnic Jerks, S.O.N.I.C, and headline act, which is Lucas’ band, Juri Juices.

“When I played with Harvey we had such a great time - for a young lad I was so impressed with him and he got on with everyone,” he said.

“Harvey was a great lad and a great friend. I thought the world of him and vice versa.

“Let’s hope we can raise as much as we can on the night to beat blood cancers as soon as we can.”

The Musicfest will take place at Ryedale Community Leisure Centre on Saturday, September 8, from 6pm. Entry is by donation and there will also be a raffle.