North-east pop star Emeli Sande will make a long-awaited return to her hometown next month to give a special performance that will raise money for a cause close to her heart.
The chart-topping singer will take to the stage during an exclusive, one-off fundraising ball in Aberdeen that will help to fund a revolutionary clinical trial that could help save the lives of children with deadly brain tumours.
The £900,000 project is being spearheaded by renowned neurosurgeon, Professor Steven Gill – one of the world’s leading medics who has developed a technology that could lead to cures for Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s, brain tumours, Motor Neurone Disease and Multiple Sclerosis, to name just a few.
His latest near-one million project will test his methods on 18 children with Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) brain tumours, a condition which no child has ever survived, and which has a life expectancy from diagnoses of just nine months.
Professor Gill believes he can change this, and save these children’s lives.
Former University of Glasgow medical student Emeli, who was brought up in Alford where her parents still live, specialised in neuroscience before she became famous internationally for her music.
So there was little persuasion needed when she was asked to help out at the fundraiser, The Evening of Elegance ball, which will be held at the Marcliffe Hotel on Saturday, July 25.
Event organiser, north-east businessman George Walker OBE, got involved through the charity that is supporting Professor Gill, Wobbly Williams and its sister organisation Funding Neuro.
The charity was founded by father-of-two Bryn Williams after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2007 at the age of just 36, so he could raise awareness of his condition and help not only young sufferers like himself, but children diagnosed with brain tumours.
In the past, Mr Walker’s successful Emmerdale north-east fundraisers have raised thousands of pounds for the charity.
And Mr Walker had no hesitation in offering his services again when the prospect of raising money for the new trial came up.
“At last year’s Emmerdale dinner dance, Emeli Sande’s best friend was in the audience,” he explained.
“When she found out what we were raising money for, she said there was no doubt that Emeli would want to help.
“This will be a very special event for a very special cause.”
Twenty tables of 12 are available for the exclusive event.
Contact George Walker Events for more information on george@georgewalkerevents.co.uk or 01467 628876.