More than 700 mod music lovers helped raise a whopping £15,500 for charities at a live music event in Morecambe.
The March of The Mods event on Saturday at the Alhambra pulled a packed crowd for a day of live bands and DJs playing mod, ska, soul and Northern Soul.
Organiser Mark Dugan said the final total was one of the highest amounts raised at any March of the Mods event around the country in its 10-year history.
He said it helped to push the collective donations from the 33 national events held in 2023 to over £100,000; with more than £900,000 raised over the decade of March of the Mods events nationwide.
Planning has now started for the event to return to Morecambe on Saturday April 6 2024.
The money will be split with £11,625 being donated to the Teenage Cancer Trust and £3,875 to Parkinson’s UK.
Mark Dugan said: "Huge thanks to everyone involved.
"The five superb bands – Shout!, Away From The Numbers, Target 5, The Odels and Midlife ably supported by the top lads on the decks – Gaz Heckman, Ste Tyson and Si Norfolk – you all made sure the Alhambra dance floor got the stick it deserves!
"The night couldn’t have happened without our excellent sound and lighting engineers – Andrew Prince and Alex Wetton, Fiona, Louise and the hard working bar team, Wayne and his security team and Terri Metcalfe on the cloakroom. Thank you!
"Thanks to Paul Kelly for the use of his drum kit and help on the night, Robin Proud for the loan of his amps and last minute shout for decks, my daughter Charlotte, her boyfriend Ricky Staniforth and my brother Matthew for their sterling work on the door, Bobby Keit and Tracy O Hara for their assistance with the raffle, Joanne Wilson McCloughlin and the Strawberry Girls for the great work selling raffle tickets. The Centurion Scooter Club for organising the ride out and their generous band sponsorship. All you kind folk who donated raffle prizes. And everybody who helped on the day – every little bit really does help.
"The final total is made of ticket sales, raffle tickets sales and donations. Thanks to Mike Desmond at Practical Bikes, Jason, Amanda and Glyn at MP Haulage, Tommy and Michelle Dobson from Morecambe Bay Properties, The Eden Rifles and Design Plus Health & Beauty for your very generous band sponsorship and donations. The Exchange and The Boardwalk for holding the Friday night warm ups and allowing us to do a collection. And of course to Father Phil Eccleston (The Skafather) for the huge contribution on behalf of the ‘Deanie’ Foundation.
"It was great to have five fellow March of the Mods organisers in the building too. Gaz Heckman (Blackpool), 2 Tone Tony Kennedy (Manchester), Stephen Rafferty (Aberdeen), Euan and Annette Eadie (Glasgow and Paisley) - check their events out – they’re superb! Thanks to Emma Cross from the TCT for joining us and taking the time to say a few words.
"And last but not least – we owe a huge debt of gratitude to every one of the 700 plus folk that came through the door to support the event. The Alhambra was bouncing all day – just like it used to be.
"It was great to see, a fantastic atmosphere and all down to you! The March of the Mods Morecambe team salute you!"
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