Mega charity night for brave chef Ben (27) battling cancer

A musical extravaganza is set to raise the roof as well as funds for a charity created by a Reedley chef.
Ben King with mum and dad Fiona and Dave and the family's pet bulldog Bubba. (S)Ben King with mum and dad Fiona and Dave and the family's pet bulldog Bubba. (S)
Ben King with mum and dad Fiona and Dave and the family's pet bulldog Bubba. (S)

The event at The Muni in Colne on Saturday, February 12th will raise cash for BK’s Heroes, set up by Ben King (27), who has an inoperable brain tumour.

However, Ben, who has also suffered with kidney problems from the age of five, has refused to let the tumour hold him back.

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Throughout the ordeal, he has continued to fund-raise tirelessly and enjoyed a family holiday to Florida late last year with mum and dad Fiona and Dave, brother Dan and his wife and child.

The Osmond brothers wear BK's Heroes wristbands. (S)The Osmond brothers wear BK's Heroes wristbands. (S)
The Osmond brothers wear BK's Heroes wristbands. (S)

The former Nelson and Colne College catering student, who has worked at the Sparrowhawk in Fence and the ACE Centre in Nelson, discovered he had cancer in September 2014 when the kidney he received at 17 from his dad started to show signs of failure.

After Ben’s initial fund-raising drive last year which raised thousands of pounds and awareness of brain and kidney disease in a matter of weeks, the Misty Blues Experience, a team of Pendle musicians, are hoping to drum up further support and take the total raised through the £10,000 mark.

Ben’s campaign has even caught the attention of the Osmond brothers Merrill, Jay and Jimmy who were pictured wearing BK’s Heroes wristbands at their Burnley performance in December, and Jimmy Cricket.

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Ben’s mum Fiona said: “We had a really nice family holiday to Florida. Just after we came back though we found out Ben had another tumour quite deep in his brain.

Jimmy Cricket wearing a BK's Heroes wristband. (S)Jimmy Cricket wearing a BK's Heroes wristband. (S)
Jimmy Cricket wearing a BK's Heroes wristband. (S)

“Surgery and chemotherapy are not an option so they are going to try radiotherapy to try to slow things down.

“He will be starting that at the beginning of February, after the preparation has been done. He will have five sessions a week for five weeks.

“In true Ben style he is gearing up to give it the fight of his life. He has been quite tired but it hasn’t stopped him wanting to raise money.

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“To give him a bit of a boost after the new tumour was discovered, I set up a Go Fund Me page hoping to raise £300 but it got at least £1,500.

The Osmond brothers wear BK's Heroes wristbands. (S)The Osmond brothers wear BK's Heroes wristbands. (S)
The Osmond brothers wear BK's Heroes wristbands. (S)

“The Muni has been given to us free of charge for the night which we are grateful for.

“As well as the music, merchandise will be on sale and we have had some wonderful raffle prizes donated, including a sailing trip for four, jewellery and a photo shoot. People have been so generous. We just hope to raise as much money as we can.”

Featuring on the night will be Red Hot and Blue, State of Play, JD and Strings, Suze Company, Retrospectare and Ashen Tolms with the evening supported by DJ David Anthony.

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One of musicians, and family friend of the Kings, Darren Shelton, said: “We were at the Rhythm and Blues festival in Colne last year having just read the story in the paper.

Jimmy Cricket wearing a BK's Heroes wristband. (S)Jimmy Cricket wearing a BK's Heroes wristband. (S)
Jimmy Cricket wearing a BK's Heroes wristband. (S)

“I’ve known the Kings for years but it was when I read it about it seemed to hit me more in a way. I decided then that we needed to do something. Ben has been through hell and back, as has the family.

“We have two bands, one a Blues band, the other more pop rock, both with fantastic female singers.

“What’s going to happen is we’ll start with a band and then the members of the band will play acoustic sets and then build back up again to a different band, break back down to acoustic and then back up to a band for the end so you’ve got a constantly revolving concert of acts.

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“It’s just something a little bit different to celebrate Ben and his life.

“There will be a short interval for the raffle which has some brilliant prizes and we hope to fill the Muni.”

Tickets are £10 in advance and £13 on the door and can be purchased from the Muni website at www.themuni.co.uk or by calling 661234. Doors open at 7-30pm for an 8-30pm start.

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