Band to strike a chord for brain tumours in memory of Corby's '˜Cat in a Hat'

A glam rock-inspired band are preparing to strike a chord for brain tumours with a fundraiser in memory of Cat Anderson who died aged just 38 from a brain tumour.
Cat with the bandCat with the band
Cat with the band

To celebrate the fourth anniversary of the band’s fundraising gigs for charity, as well as the year in which Cat would have turned 40, Pouk Hill Prophetz will be playing at the Wayfarers in Kettering on Saturday, November 17, from 7.30pm.

The event is to raise funds for Cat in a Hat, a fundraising group set up under the umbrella of the Brain Tumour Research charity in honour of the huge collection of hats Cat managed to amass when she lost her hair during treatment.

The band will be performing at the Wayfarers in KetteringThe band will be performing at the Wayfarers in Kettering
The band will be performing at the Wayfarers in Kettering
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Cat, who grew up in Corby, was diagnosed with an aggressive and incurable brain tumour in 2014 and, after surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment, seemed to be doing well.

Along with her parents, Rab and Margo Anderson of Kettering, Cat was shocked to discover that brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer.

She died last June.

Rab said: “Research into brain tumours is a cause very close to our hearts.

“We know it is too late for Cat, but we are passionate that a cure must be found to bring hope to future patients and their families.

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“Losing a child is devastating whether or not that child has grown up.

“Cat adored music – she was always singing and dancing – and particularly loved the opportunity to go to concerts.

“She was very excited to be invited up on stage at one of Pouk Hill Prophetz’s gigs and became great friends with the band members.

“As soon as they learnt about Cat’s diagnosis and the fact that historically just one per cent of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to brain tumours, they started to support Cat in a Hat’s fundraising.”

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Pouk Hill Prophetz band member, Nigel Hart said: “We are very proud to have raised around £20,000 to date for the cause, which has included match-funding from Deutsche Bank.

“Earlier this year we were honoured to be invited to Brain Tumour Research’s Centre of Excellence at Queen Mary University of London to put up a tile on the Wall of Hope in recognition of our fundraising for Cat in a Hat.

“Cat was such an inspirational person.

“She was always laughing and encouraging everyone to have fun.

“We will be playing many of the big hits from the 70s by bands like Sweet, Slade and T-Rex, and there will be a raffle with prizes including vouchers and bottles of booze.

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“I will also be organising an auction of Rock and Roll memorabilia separately to add to our Cat in a Hat fundraising, so keep an eye on the Pouk Hill Prophetz Facebook page.”

Rab added: “Bring your friends along for a fun-filled night in memory of Cat, with the option of wearing music-themed fancy dress, in honour of the hundreds of thousands of people who suffer daily from brain tumours and to raise vital funds for research into this devastating disease.

“We are very grateful to Tracy Levy at the Wayfarers for offering the venue free of charge.”

Michael Thelwall, head of community fundraising at Brain Tumour Research, said: “Tickets are only £5 and are already selling fast.

“Please show your support in memory of Cat.

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“The money raised will help us to fund dedicated UK Centres of Excellence where scientists are focused on improving outcomes for patients and, ultimately, finding a cure.”

To buy tickets contact Tracy Levy at the Wayfarers, any of the Pouk Hill Prophetz band members or email [email protected].

To make a donation in memory of Cat go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/catinahat1.