Rock bands and fans from across the region are taking part in a special event next month.

The mini festival has been organised to raise funds for Macmillan and Mikey Lawless, who has an inoperable brain tumour.

The 31-year-old is bass player with the Carlisle rock band Falling Red and continues to play with the band as much as possible and will be performing with them at the concert.

Organiser Hayley Moore has seen friends and family hit by the disease and explained: “I lost my uncle to cancer just over a year and a half ago. My auntie is currently suffering the effects of treatment from fighting bone cancer and my other auntie, who is like my second mum, also has inoperable cancer.

“I feel helpless, but I have to do something to at least help the tiniest bit.

“It is this music that helped me all my life that got me through when I was down.”

Hayley, who is the partner of Falling Red drummer Dave Sanders, has recruited a range of rockers who will all perform cover versions.

The 37-year-old, of Morton, Carlisle, said: “The performers will be covering all the bands who made us who we are today, helped us through the bad times and made us sing through the good.

“Most proceeds will go to Macmillan Cancer Support and some to Mikey to make sure he gets the things he needs.”

Among those lining up to take part are Falling Red, The Sun Explodes, Dissident Youth, and more are on standby in case a band has to drop out – and Hayley, who used to be in a band and organise gigs in Workington, is coming out of ‘retirement’ to perform.

She has already sold over 250 tickets and just a few remain. She has also produced T-shirts to raise money.

Hayley, who works for Toyota in Kingstown, has had money donated from the company to the cause and is raffling off an amplifier and other merchandise that was donated.

She is aiming to stage more fundraising concerts: “I would like to do more events because there are more people suffering from cancer than just my family and friends.”

The fundraiser is at The Brickyard, Carlisle on November 16. Tickets are available from seetickets, www.thebrickyardonline.com and www.moshforfcancer.co.uk