Being the life and soul of the party for Rosemere in Preston

There was plenty of soul as DJs were let loose to raise money for Rosemere Cancer Foundation.
from left, Victoria Collins, Christine Simmons and Gemma Collins at the Motown and Soul night at Preston Masonic Hallfrom left, Victoria Collins, Christine Simmons and Gemma Collins at the Motown and Soul night at Preston Masonic Hall
from left, Victoria Collins, Christine Simmons and Gemma Collins at the Motown and Soul night at Preston Masonic Hall

Guest DJ Carol Gilboy turned the decks at Preston Masonic Hall, filling the dance floor with the sounds of Northern Soul.

She was supported by five fellow DJs – Dave Wright; Peter Collins; Lester Wardle; Robert Payne and Geoff Young.

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The event, which raised £157 for Rosemere, was particularly poignant as Lester, and organiser Christine Simmons have battled cancer themselves.

DJ's from left, Geoff Young, Pete Collins, David Wright, Carol Gilboy, Bob Bayne and Lester Wardle at the Motown and Soul night at Preston Masonic HallDJ's from left, Geoff Young, Pete Collins, David Wright, Carol Gilboy, Bob Bayne and Lester Wardle at the Motown and Soul night at Preston Masonic Hall
DJ's from left, Geoff Young, Pete Collins, David Wright, Carol Gilboy, Bob Bayne and Lester Wardle at the Motown and Soul night at Preston Masonic Hall

Christine’s husband, and DJ, Geoff Young, 64, says: “The reason we organised this was because my wife Christine had bowel and liver cancer. Fortunately the doctors caught it in time. She had a big tumour in her bowel and she had chemotherapy for six weeks. But after that the tumour grew into her liver.

“She had 60 per cent of her liver taken away. Christine is doing well and does not have to take any medication. But it was important for her to help raise funds for Rosemere.

“One of our DJs, Lester, 58, had prostate cancer and was successfully treated at Rosemere. It was a very emotional event for him, raising money for the cancer foundation that treated him.”

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People travelled as far as Morecambe for the event, which is the third fund-raiser Christine and Geoff have organised.

from left, Paul Soul Johnson, Frank Keane and Dave Dempsey at the Motown and Soul night at Preston Masonic Hallfrom left, Paul Soul Johnson, Frank Keane and Dave Dempsey at the Motown and Soul night at Preston Masonic Hall
from left, Paul Soul Johnson, Frank Keane and Dave Dempsey at the Motown and Soul night at Preston Masonic Hall

Geoff adds: “We set up the equipment and play vinyl music. It was a very pleasant evening. There was not as many people as we had hoped, but we are hoping that more people will attend our next event in November.

“We raised £157 for Rosemere after we had to pay expenses, like the PPL license to play the music. 
We had a couple who had never been to our night before and they really enjoyed themselves. We also had a group in from Lancaster and Morecambe.

“It was great having so many DJs on to play their music.

“They were brilliant and they all had their own way of doing things, so we had an eclectic mix.

DJ Geoff Young at the Motown and Soul night at Preston Masonic HallDJ Geoff Young at the Motown and Soul night at Preston Masonic Hall
DJ Geoff Young at the Motown and Soul night at Preston Masonic Hall
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“Some DJs played some rare hits, whilst I finished the evening with some of the popular classics.

“After 50 years of playing records, I have a good idea of knowing what works, so I had everyone on the dance floor.”

The next event will be at Preston Masonic Hall on Sunday, November 12, from 2pm until 8pm. All money will go towards Rosemere Cancer Foundation.

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