Stone Roses legend Gary "Mani" Mounfield and wife Imelda have announced they are to host a gala fundraising night - after Imelda's diagnosis with cancer. The event will be called "This is the One" after the hit Stone Roses song, with the subtitle "Let's kick cancer's arse", and promises a night of music and entertainment for charity.
Events agent Imelda was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer in November 2020. Now, Mani and Imelda area hoping to raise awareness and funds for The Christie Hospital and The Stockport Charitable Trust at the glittering fundraiser event to be held at The Kimpton Clocktower Hotel on November 18.
Imelda says: "Both charities have supported me through my journey. Cancer affects not just the person who has it, but everyone around them, and I hope that by investing in some more research, we can help alleviate some of the devastation caused to families."
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Bass guitar icon Mani said: "When life deals you a pair of twos, you must get your game face on! The past two years since my wife's diagnosis have been brutal in so many ways, but it's also opened our eyes to so many things.
"This disease needs to be eradicated - we feel duty bound to do our bit to achieve this. So everybody, get on board, dig deep, help out, we will win!"
The event will take place in the same week that Mani turns 60, and hope it will be a celebration as much as an important fundraiser for the charities.
Imelda has previously written about her cancer journey on her JustGiving page, saying: "I'm nowhere near giving up this fight." The couple are parents to nine-year-old twins and live in Stockport.
On her JustGiving page Imelda wrote: "I was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer in November 2020. It had spread to my liver and a small nodule in my lung.
"I underwent emergency life-saving bowel surgery as it perforated. I had Covid and appendicitis for my first 3 chemo sessions, which were missed. I thought I was going down to the theatre to confirm appendicitis.
"Nobody heard anything for 9 hrs. Hence I woke with no small colon and an ileostomy stoma instead. Fast forward 6 months of treatments and breaks while they considered surgery, I had the right side of my liver removed. We were just on the mop-up stage of chemo when a scan revealed another tumour in the liver and several nodules on my lungs.
"I'm looking at other treatment centres and treatments privately as I'm nowhere near giving up this fight. Think positive thoughts into the universe for me to beat this. I've got twin boys aged 9 who I'm fighting for to be their mummy to be there for many years to come."
The This is The One event will be curated by Mani and Imelda with the promise to be a "night of first-class entertainment". There will also be the opportunity to win lots of fantastic prizes donated by bands, footballers, actors, venues and promoters.
Crumpsall-born Mani, 59, has been part of the Stone Roses since they first formed in the 1980s, and a much-loved icon of the Manchester music scene. He also famously performed in the band Primal Scream when the Roses were on hiatus, before rejoining the Roses for their celebrated comeback in 2011.
All proceeds from the event will go to The Christie specialist cancer hospital and The Stockport Charitable Trust. Mani and Imelda say they have already received some "amazing donations" to support the event.
There will be some unique memorabilia up for grabs on the night itself via a raffle as well as a special online auction. More details will be revealed shortly including how to get tickets for the event.
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