Star-studded benefit saw Sir Tom Jones, Eric Clapton, Bonnie Tyler, Mick Hucknall and Van Morrison take to the stage at London’s O2 Arena performing their greatest hits to raise vital funds for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity

On Tuesday 3 March, at London’s O2 Arena, the Music For The Marsden concert raised fast approaching one million pounds for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. The star-studded line up raised vital funds for the brand new, state of the art cancer treatment and research facility, the Oak Cancer Centre.

Performing some of their best loved songs, the evening saw a formidable line-up take to the stage including Eric Clapton, the legendary Tom Jones, Gary Brooker of Procol Harum plus Simply Red’s Mick Hucknall, John Illsley from Dire Straits, Paul Jones, Nick Mason, Mike Rutherford, Rick Wakeman, Yusuf / Cat Stevens and Paul Carrack and the unstoppable Bonnie Tyler as well as Paul Young, Zucchero and Van Morrison.

Gary Brooker, of Procol Harum, was Musical Director of the show and worked tirelessly to bring together the line-up of the greats, as well as the all-star house band which was made up of Paul ‘Wix’ Wickens (keyboards), Andy Fairweather Low and Robbie McIntosh (guitars), Dave Bronze (bass), Graham Broad and Ian Paice (drums & percussion).

Reuniting on stage were Paul Young and Zucchero who beautifully serenaded the audience with their classic rendition of ‘Senza Una Donna‘ and the evening saw the spectacular Eric Clapton return to the stage to play guitar with Van Morrison for one song only, the blues classic, ‘Help Me’.

Musical Director of the show, Gary Brooker said on “The support for this event has exceeded all expectations. To raise so much money from one evening I can only begin to thank the wonderful musicians and singers who took to the stage at the O2 arena tonight. Long may the support continue to raise the money needed for such a pioneering hospital”

Funds raised from the concert will go towards the Oak Cancer Centre, a brand new state-of-the-art research and treatment facility at The Royal Marsden in Sutton. Named in recognition of Oak Foundation which has donated £25 million, the centre will speed up the development of new treatments and save lives through improving early diagnosis. The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity is raising £70 million to make the new centre possible.

Managing Director of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, Antonia Dalmahoy, said “What an incredible night! We are so grateful to these legendary artists for coming along and performing their hits tonight. I’d also like to thank all the celebrity hosts and the show producers and promoters who have worked so hard to make the show happen and to support this important cause, and of course everyone who bought a ticket who together have raised a huge amount of money. The Royal Marsden has a long history of developing new treatments for cancer and much of this work has been made possible by supporters of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.

Music For The Marsden is in aid of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity.
Registered Charity Number: 1095197