Summer 2011
Photograph by Mike Jordan
Over 150 fans crowded into the hall to enjoy a trip back to the days of Dire Straits, the Rolling Stones and lots more.
Generous members of the audience bid for a host of auction prizes, including a holiday in a French chateau and a trip round Silverstone in a vintage race car. In all, the evening raised over £2,800 for us.
Organisers of the event were Glen Vaal and Roger Nicklin, of local bands Otter's Pocket and the Coffin Dodgers respectively. "Last year we held a concert in aid of Haiti," said Glen. This year we reverted to consideration of local charities and TALK Surrey was my proposal - having seen what impact a stroke can have on an individual and their family and the big difference that therapy can make."
TALK Chairman Michael Hawtin commented: "Communication can be a very daunting challenge for our members. It can influence relationships, work and personality. The resulting loneliness and isolation affect not only the recoverer's quality of life, but that of family and carers. Sometimes called the 'hidden disability', loss of language is not officially recognised as a disability - despite a quarter of a million people in the UK suffering from aphasia. In our weekly groups we seek to enable recoverers to re-integrate with society."
He continued: "We are delighted that the bands chose to assist us in this way. Not only was the evening a wonderful time for the audience, it has brought us a welcome increase in our funds at a time when many donors are unable to contribute as much as they would like."