Brave dad’s cancer battle charity party

James Walton, 33, from Liversedge, had surgery to remove a tumour 18 months ago – but last week he was told the cancer had returned.

He was told he would be given chemotherapy every three weeks to help manage the condition – and he decided he wanted to have a party before starting treatment.

His cousin Zoe Wilson took charge of organising it, and within 48 hours had secured Audio nightclub in Batley for free, a list of DJs and dozens of people on hand to help out.

Zoe said: “We have been absolutely overwhelmed, and really heartened, by how the community has rallied round, just in the week since we found out what his prognosis was.

“James decided that he would like to have a party with all of his friends and loved ones prior to starting his chemo, so that he could get all of the people he cared about together in one place before starting the gruelling course of treatment that he will shortly have to face.

“I jumped at the chance to get involved with this, to help make sure that we organised a party for James that would truly be night for him to remember.

“I started making enquiries on Facebook, and was very quickly absolutely inundated with offers of help and assistance from across the local dance music community, from people that know me or James, or other members of our family, to friends of friends, and then just wider well known and well respected figures from across the house music scene.

“Within 48 hours, we had managed to move from the merest suggestion of James wanting a party, to having a really good venue confirmed, and a line up that would blow most regular Friday and Saturday club nights out of the water.

“Audio Nightclub in Batley have kindly offered to let us have free use of their venue for the event, and we had that many offers from DJs wanting to get involved that we had to turn quite a few of them away. Those who haven’t been able to play have been put on a list for the second charity party we are going to arrange later on this year.”

The party takes place on Friday January 20 at Audio, Bradford Road, Batley, from 9pm to 5.30am and features DJs including Rob Tissera, Josh Demello and Marc Leaf. Entry is £6 and all proceeds go to the Yorkshire Cancer Centre.