Published in the Bristol Evening Post, 23rd April 2012
A GROUP of Bristol musicians is organising 24 hours of live music to raise money for a cancer charity.
Sadie Fleming, Rebecca Cullen and Lindsay Bullamore decided to organise the event for Macmillan Cancer Support after their close friend was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 25.
They will hold the Bristol Macmillathon at three city venues this weekend to raise money for the charity while also celebrating the end of their friend's chemotherapy treatment.
A line up of more than 40 Bristol musicians will play at The Spring Gardens in Hotwells, Marlows Cellar Bar in Broad Street and The Hatchet Inn in Frogmore Street for a total of 24 hours from Friday until Sunday.
The Bristol Macmillathon will be free to attend with money raised through games, raffles and other entertainment throughout the weekend. The organisers are hoping that the event might raise as much as £2,400 for Macmillan.
Ms Fleming, who plays keyboard and sings, said: "Our friend was diagnosed with breast cancer just before Christmas when she was just 25, which is not something you expect to happen. For the last couple of months we wanted to do something constructive to raise awareness and raise some money for Macmillan because they have been amazing for us.
"All three of us are musicians and thought about doing a 24-hour gig but licensing made that difficult so we have spread it out over the weekend. We wanted it to be the best of Bristol and a really fun event."
"We want this to be a big celebration for the end of our friend's chemotherapy while raising money to say thank-you to Macmillan."
The weekend has been arranged with the support of Mark Venus Music and the acts will include Benny Sensus, Lonely Tourist, Vapor and Leon Fender Walker.
Friday is going to be an acoustic night with several bands playing. Saturday night will be more relaxed with more singer/song-writer acts while Sunday will feature spoken poetry and some bands.The organisers will also be performing each day.
Ms Fleming, 26, said: "It is going to be an amazing weekend of live music to celebrate the Bristol community atmosphere."
The weekend will start at 6pm on Friday, April 27. Acts will start at 6pm on the Saturday and midday on Sunday.
For more information and further details on the line-up, visit Facebook. To donate, head to www.justgiving.com/Bristol-Macmillathon
