Local poets and musicians will join forces on Saturday 9th September to raise money for the charity Vasculitis UK. The charity exists to get funding for research and raising awareness into a rare condition known as vasculitis.    

Each year 2 - 3 thousand new cases of Vasculitis are diagnosed. There are several different types of Vasculitis the most severe of which can affect different major organs in the body. Broadly speaking the condition is an auto immune disease where white cells attack the lining of vessel walls and cause blockage or death of tissue. If left undiagnosed the condition can be fatal.  

  Event organiser Mark Ingram has recently been diagnosed with large cell vasculitis which is affecting the major blood vessels around his heart. Mark says "when I was diagnosed after several weeks of being really ill I was initially pleased that my condition was now going to be treated, but when the consultant explained the implications of the illness I must be honest and say I was left feeling anxious and scared."

After starting treatment Mark and his wife Carol decided to contact Vasculitis UK to see if they could help raise awareness and fund raise to help further the research into the condition. Delves Baptist Church held a cake and coffee morning and donated over £350 which set the ball rolling.  

  Mark says"i started to think what I could do and my skill set lies in poetry and music, I have had 2 volumes of poetry published and am in a two piece band called Apple Venus with my friend Russell Smith, we combine spoken word with ambient soundscapes and some more conventional beats and I thought to myself let's get some of my fellow local poets and musicians to unite and put on a quality event"    

  Delves Baptist Church agreed to host the event and Mark reached out to friends such as Tina Cox and Ian Henery both published poets and the emcee of Voices of the Fountain Ian Davies as well as newcomers Hayley Wheeldon and Graham Foster performing their work for the first time. Mitch Kenyon will provide musical support.        Mark invited an old school pal Paul McDonald to headline part one of the evening, Paul  the former Head of professional and creative writing at the University of Wolverhampton and much published author of poetry, fiction and literary criticism says"I'm proud to be a part of the event - it's great when poetry can serve the community in such a positive way".  

  In conclusion Mark says"this  evening promises to be fun, varied and rewarding and  will also raise much needed funds for a charity that is not in the spotlight and needs support"  

    Doors open at 7pm show starts 7:30 pm, refreshments will be available at the interval and a  charity stall and silent auction will also be helping to raise more money.  

  Tickets cost £5  

  Come along to the Delves Baptist Church 

Bell Lane

  Walsall 

WS5 4PU.