Alan plays in memory of the ‘lady’ Lorraine

Jan 10 2008 by Hazel Ettienne, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Alan plays in memory of the ‘lady’ Lorraine

A CARING brother has rekindled his love of music to raise charity cash in memory of his sister.

Alan Milnes has begun to play the bass guitar he bought three years ago, formed a group and organised a “one-night-only” rock concert following the death of his sister Lorraine Sykes from cancer.

Alan, of Longwood Road, Paddock said: “There is only one word to describe Lorraine and that is a “lady”, everyone who knew her said so. She was the bravest person I have ever met. Her death has basically kicked my backside into gear to do something for her.

“I’m the lame duck in the band, there’s three musicians and me, but I’ve locked myself away in my bedroom for hours, practising and the concert will hopefully raise a lot of money for Cancer Research.”

Alan’s new band, called Memory Lapse, includes drummer Phil Brown, lead guitarist Gary Collins and Cliff Edwards on rhythm guitar.

The men have not previously met before but are rehearsing for the next four of five weekends before the gig on Saturday February 9, which would have been Lorraine’s 57th birthday.

Lorraine, a mother of three, who lived in Cowlersley, was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2005. She married her long term partner Paul shortly after she was diagnosed.

The eldest of eight brothers and sisters, she helped bring up her siblings after her parents separated.

She died in Huddersfield Royal Infirmary in August last year after a long battle and several courses of treatment.

The gig at Paddock Conservative Club from 8pm includes rock, reggae and popular tunes from Memory Lapse.

There will also be a “Full Monty” routine, Alan’s nephew Daniel Fajt will have his legs waxed, a bucket collection and raffle.

Alan, who is emigrating to Canada after the event, aims to raise £1,000 for Cancer Research.

He added: “We’ve had some tremendous support from the local community and complete strangers. You don’t realise until you start organising something like this, how many people’s lives are touched by cancer.”