Band set to raise the roof at Hartlepool charity gig

Fundraisers are keeping it in the family as a town tribute band backs a campaign to send a Hartlepool man to Mexico for treatment.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Feb 2016, 05:00 BST
Heavy rock band Metal Militia will play a concert in aid of Eric Thompson.Heavy rock band Metal Militia will play a concert in aid of Eric Thompson.
Heavy rock band Metal Militia will play a concert in aid of Eric Thompson.

Metal Militia, are performing at the Nursey Inn, Hartlepool, for a fundraising show in aid of Eric Thomson who needs to raise £35,000 for stem cell MS treatment in Mexico later this year.

The band, which features Eric’s nephew-in-law, drummer John Wright, 28, from the Throston area of Hartlepool, will perform on February 20, from 7pm to 11pm.

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Eric Thompson from Hartlepool, who suffers from MS, is to undergo a stem cell operation.Eric Thompson from Hartlepool, who suffers from MS, is to undergo a stem cell operation.
Eric Thompson from Hartlepool, who suffers from MS, is to undergo a stem cell operation.

John, a student at Teeside University, said: “We are holding the event in collaboration with Ian and Deborah Humberton from the Nursery Inn.

“We are proud to be holding this concert to show our support and contribute as largely as possible to this fantastic cause. We invite you all to come along, bang your heads, drink lots and have a damn good time with us and raise as much as we can to get a hell of a nice bloke and local Hartlepool fella to where he needs to be for his treatment.”

The band also features town lads Jack Hull, 18, Shane Norman, 20, and Daniel Genner, 24, who said they are looking forward to the event.

Dad-of-one John added: “All funds raised we will be putting towards the treatment for Eric in Mexico.

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Eric Thompson from Hartlepool, who suffers from MS, is to undergo a stem cell operation.Eric Thompson from Hartlepool, who suffers from MS, is to undergo a stem cell operation.
Eric Thompson from Hartlepool, who suffers from MS, is to undergo a stem cell operation.

“Eric is a good friend of mine and he has always been interested in the type of music that we do.”

Dad-of-five Eric, has Primary Progressive MS – a form of of the condition that has no treatment in this country.

Mr Thomson, 49, has been given the date of June 20 to undergo pioneering stem cell treatment at the Riaz Clinic in Mexico – but needs to raise the remaining £23,000 to fund his treatment.

In Mexico, he will undergo a haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), which offers the possibility of slowing – if not stopping – the progression of his condition, and improve mobility.

Tickets for the event can be bought on the door for £4.

To donate to Eric’s appeal, visit: https://www.gofundme.com/HSCTforEricT

Related topics:MexicoHartlepoolThomson