Rock legend Rod Stewart’s stadium gig in Blackpool is set to raise thousands of pounds for The Gazette’s Hospice Heroes appeal.
Concert promoters Cuffe & Taylor today kindly offered to give our campaign £1 from every ticket sold for the music icon’s huge gig at Blackpool FC.
We are aiming to raise £200,000 to fund a major revamp at Trinity Hospice and Brian House children’s hospice.
Football fan Rod is playing a 25,000-capacity gig at the Seasiders’ Bloomfield Road ground in June as part of his UK tour.
And as well as the massive boost to our appeal from ticket sales, prizes will be offered and auctions held to further swell much-needed funds.
Peter Taylor, director of Cuffe & Taylor, said: “As a Fylde-based company, it’s great we can do something for the local community and help raise money for a wonderful cause.
“Every seat sold for the concert will mean another £1 for The Gazette’s Hospice Heroes appeal.
“We know Rod is a great supporter of good causes and is delighted his appearance is also raising money that will improve these hospice, which do such a fantastic job for the Fylde coast community.”
Mr Taylor and business partner Daniel Cuffe visited the hospice when The Gazette launched Hospice Heroes in October. They were so moved they said they had to get involved.
Blackpool FC manager Paul Ince, who visited youngsters at Brian House with members of his squad yesterday, said: “It is great Rod is coming to Blackpool and it’s great we are all helping towards The Gazette’s Hospice Heroes campaign.
“It’s superb for Blackpool Football Club and the town to all pull together to get behind such a good cause – I’m sure it will make a few quid from the Rod Stewart concert. The atmosphere is going to be fantastic.”
Goalkeeper Matt Gilks added: “It’s great to have someone like Rod Stewart playing at the stadium because I’m sure he will fill it.
“And with £1 from every ticket sold going to a place like Trinity and Brian House, improving the facilities for the children and patients, is brilliant.
“I’ve been going to Brian House for the last six years and it’s sobering and humbling to see the children there and what a great job the staff do. We will keep visiting to show our support.
“I’m looking forward to coming back next year and seeing the work that has been carried out thanks to The Gazette and Hospice Heroes.”
Star winger Thomas Ince added: “It’s great to see they are refurbishing the hospices. We want it to be the best facility it can possible be, and with the Rod Stewart concert, with the huge icon he is, I’m sure it will be a big success.
“More than anywhere else, Trinity and Brian House deserves it. We need to sell as many tickets as possible and make it a sell-out.”
The Gazette is aiming to raise £200,000 to help make Trinity and Brian House, on Low Moor Road, Bispham, fit for the future.
It will be the first major refurbishment, including replacing old furniture and creating new single rooms at Trinity, in its 28-year history.
At Brian House, the rooms will be made brighter and safer, and the kitchen will be renovated to make it more suitable for older children and young adults to use.
The money the appeal raises will be added to a £280,000 grant from the Department of Health to pay for the work.
Trinity’s fund-raising manager Linzi Young said they decided early on to put on an event to support the appeal.
She said: “We never expected something of this scale.
“When we heard it was going to be Rod Stewart performing at the football ground it was beyond our wildest imaginations. We’re absolutely thrilled.
“It will be a fantastic way to round up the appeal, as by the time to concert is on everyone will be able to see the improvements it has helped to pay for.”
Gazette Editor Jon Rhodes added: “It is such a fantastic and kind-hearted offer from Daniel and Peter and we cannot thank them enough.
“This is a massive boost for the Hospice Heroes appeal.”
Tickets for Rod’s June 20 concert have been selling fast.
Mr Taylor added: “The reaction we have had since announcing the tour dates has been amazing. There’s a real sense of anticipation for what promises to be a fantastic musical event.”
• For details on how to get tickets visit www.ticketline.co.uk or call 0844 888 9991.
Details of how you can donate or get involved are listed on The Blackpool Gazette website https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/hospice-heroes
Picture- Blackpool FC players visit Brian House with Cuffe & Taylor boss Daniel Cuffe, at the front, as he reveals �1 from every Rod Stewart (below) ticket will go to Hospice Heroes.
Reproduced with thanks to Rebecca Draper and Andy Sykes