Soul Traders show off their crazy legs
Devon band Soul Traders showed off their crazy side prior to their recent gig and gave a ‘leg up’ to support cancer.
Lead singer Matt Byrne, who has survived tongue cancer never thought he would sing again when he was diagnosed with cancer six years ago.
The father-of-three from Exeter is rallying men, women and children in Devon to Stand Up To Cancer this October. The band also felt the sad loss of their friend and fellow singer Lara Schmidt who died from cancer in July 2014.
The 13 piece band, warmed up for their recent gig by donning bright orange stripy socks in a bid to get local people to back the ‘Crazy Legs’ challenge and fundraise for Stand Up To Cancer by dressing up their legs.
Matt thought he may never pick up a microphone again after having over four centimetres of his tongue removed. But extensive speech therapy and with further treatment, things turned around.
The band dressed up their pins in bright orange stripy socks and knocked out the soul numbers at the recent Bradninch gig.
A joint fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4, Stand Up To Cancer aims to raise money to fund vital research which will get new and better treatments to cancer patients faster.
As part of this year’s campaign, schools, offices, friends and family are being invited to take on the Crazy Legs challenge by getting sponsored to wear a ridiculous bottom half for a day.
Matt, said: “Sadly not everyone survives cancer, but research is vital if we are to find better and kinder treatments. I’m so grateful for the treatment that saved my life but for Lara, she wasn’t so lucky.
We need to keep funding this type of research so we can kick this dreadful disease into touch.”
Around three people are diagnosed with cancer every day in the South West. By joining Stand Up To Cancer, supporters will be uniting with doctors, nurses, scientists and celebrities to generate funds, raise awareness and bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.
Alison Birkett at Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson for the South West, said: “We’d like to thank The Soul Traders for standing up to cancer in style and their support in sharing their story to bring home the importance of research.”
She added: “Simply pull on a ridiculous bottom half for the day and either make a donation or get sponsored by friends and family.
One in two people in the UK will develop cancer at some point in their lives and there’s still much more to do to ensure no-one’s life is cut short by this devastating disease. That’s why we need everyone to join us and make a stand against cancer now.”
For more information and to get involved visit www.standuptocancer.org.uk
