OKEHAMPTON Excelsior Silver Band will perform a special concert to raise money for Stephen Sykes, a musician suffering with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Stephen’s story has gone viral, with the ‘Acrobat Challenge’ encouraging musicians all over the world to play the same jolly tune on their instruments and share their videos on social media, to help raise awareness and funds for Stephen’s medical treatment.

Stephen is a 26-year-old trombonist who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, an uncommon cancer that develops in the lymphatic system, in February 2016. He has undergone six different chemo therapies since then but none had been successful.

Doctors concluded that Stephen is now in a position where his only hope of reducing the cancer enough to be able to receive a life-saving stem cell transplant is to treat him with a new type of drug.

Unfortunately, the cost of the drug is above the NHS funding threshold. It is not therefore available on prescription and the consultants told Stephen and his family they would need to raise the funds required to purchase the treatment that he needs to give him the real prospect of becoming well again.

Since hearing this news, Stephen and his family have been tirelessly campaigning to raise awareness of Stephen’s condition and raise funds for treatment.

Although from Somerset, Stephen has a personal connection with many members of the Okehampton Excelsior Silver Band who attended one of his master class workshops.

Three years ago Stephen’s family were commissioned by the South West Brass Association to do a weekend tutorial for over 100 musicians. Several members of the Okehampton band attended the weekend and got to know Stephen and his family.

The band recently accepted the ‘Acrobat Challenge’ and many members are now registered stem cell donors.

Okehampton Excelsior Silver Band is also hosting a fundraising concert for Stephen on Thursday, May 11 starting at 7.30pm at the Charter Hall, Okehampton.

Money raised from the concert will help Stephen to purchase vital medical treatment.

To read more of Stephen’s story and to donate, visit www.gofundme.com/stephensykes