A star-studded fund-raising concert for Cancer Research in the Westville Hotel, Enniskillen on Saturday, 6th June will go a long way to helping two intrepid climbers scale each of the highest peaks in Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales in two days.
The special guest artist is Gene Chetty who lent his name to the famous showband, Gene and The Gents of the 60's. On the night, by coincidence, Gene - who now lives in Wales - will be backed by the Ernesiders Swing Band, one of whose members, Paddy McDermott played alongside Gene.
The programme runs from 9pm-12 midnight and tickets, at £5 each, are available from the hotel (66 320333), Nature's Choice (66 328993), McGovern's Chemist, Derrylin (677 42017), and Paddy McDermott himself (66 327490).
The artistes, by giving their services free, are sponsoring the two climbers, Liam Campbell and Martin McLarnon, both of whom are employed in the Lakeland Forum.
Sylvia Lucy, the Development Officer with the Ulster Cancer Foundation, wished both men every success as they prepared to make their final preparations for the Four Peaks Challenge and the Enniskillen 10K.
"The money raised will make an important contribution to the work of the Foundation in that it will help us continue to provide much-needed care services and information for all those affected by cancer."
Sylvia said that all funds raised for the Foundation were spent locally to help and support cancer patients across Northern Ireland.
She commented: "The Foundation is committed to tackling cancer by supporting cancer research, providing services for patients and their families, and by educating people on how they can reduce their risk of the disease."
Details of fund-raising events can be found on the Ulster Cancer Foundation's website www.ulstercancer.org
Anyone who would like to organise an event that is not listed should ring 028 90 66 3281.
Meanwhile, the many fans of Gene Chetty, who lived in and used Enniskillen as the band's base, are looking forward to his return.
His band, Gene and the Gents made their debut on St Patrick's Night, 1964 and, within two years, they were bracketed amongst the top attractions in Ireland. Gene himself was rated as one of the most exciting performers on the showband scene.
Having interrupted his legal studies, he resumed his academic career in 1970 and is now a management training consultant with a firm in Hertfordshire.
