East Kent band White Cliffs Symphonic Winds will host a concert in Walmer on Saturday 12 October to celebrate the life of popular resident and former Royal Marine, Phil Hughes, who died in August.
The orchestra will play a mixture of traditional and contemporary music as a fitting tribute to Mr Hughes, who used to play the flute in the band.
Mr Hughes’ son, Mark, says: ‘My dad was a natural musician. He passed his Grade 8 piano exam at age 14 and could play numerous instruments. So we felt an evening of listening to great players perform music that he loved would be a fitting way to remember him.’
All proceeds from the event will go to the British Liver Trust, the UK’s leading liver health charity. Mark explains why: ‘Dad was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver in 2016 but there was no cause that the doctor could pinpoint for this. He didn’t drink to excess, didn’t have hepatitis and he ate healthily.
‘We hope that by putting on this event we can draw attention to a disease that flies very much under the radar.’
Since 1970, deaths due to liver disease have increased by 400%. This is in stark contrast to other major diseases, such as heart disease and cancer, in which the number of deaths have either remained stable or decreased.
Transforming lives
Pamela Healy, Chief Executive of the British Liver Trust, says: ‘We are incredibly grateful to Mark for his efforts in helping to raise awareness of liver disease in memory of his father. Every penny raised at this wonderful event will help transform the lives of people living with liver disease.’
Save the date
The concert will take place on Saturday 12 October at 7.30pm at St Mary’s Church, St. Clare Road, Walmer, Deal, CT14 7QA. Tickets are priced at £10 each and can be purchased in advance through the band’s secretary by contacting 07961 772 169 or on the door, subject to availability. For more information about the band, visit www.wcsw.org.uk.
