Community rallies to create a Virtual Festival to help Neuro Therapy Centre celebrate 35 years

A charity which supports people living with neurological conditions has turned to its community for help to organise a lockdown-compatible event to help celebrate its 35th anniversary.

The Neuro Therapy Centre in Saltney, near Chester, had planned a series of special anniversary celebrations and events that would have taken place throughout the summer of 2020. The Covid lockdown means that most of those plans have now been shelved.

Rather than cancel its celebrations entirely, the charity turned to its community of supporters across north Wales and the north west for an alternative way to celebrate.

Now, with the help of local radio station Grub Radio, and the support of talented local DJs, musicians, artists and performers from across the region, the 35^th anniversary celebrations will go ahead online.

NeuroFest will take place on Saturday (20^th June), with a dynamic twelve hour programme running from midday. Anyone can join the festival for free, with optional access to VIP performances and lifestyle masterclasses available for a £5 donation per household.

The family-friendly event will feature DJ sets and request slots throughout the day, with exclusive VIP performances by local bands and artists The Clockmakers, The Last Minute, Matt Violet, and Coralie Jade, who recently hit the headlines singing in the street and at her employer Asda Queensferry during lockdown.

Lifestyle sessions include expert tutorials in make-up, art and crafts and exercise, and performance artist Sarah Gould will lead a special storytelling session for kids.

Jane Johnston-Cree, Centre Director at the Neuro Therapy Centre said: “We were briefly crushed when we realised so many of our anniversary plans would have to be put on hold, but we’ve been bowled over by the level of support we’ve had from musicians, DJs and artists for our virtual festival.

“We’re delighted with the programme they have helped us to put together. NeuroFest will help us to celebrate our 35^th anniversary in style, with a fun, feel-good event that is open to everyone. We hope people will join us on the day to raise a glass and enjoy being part of it.”

Virtual festival goers are being encouraged to get into the spirit of things by planning a celebratory picnic, or by camping out in their garden. Wading through mud is optional, but festival goers may like to dig out their best wellies just in case.

All musicians, DJs and performers are donating their time and talent to the festival for free. The money raised from the VIP sessions and donations on the day will help to fund support offered during lockdown through the charity’s Virtual Centre, and to cover costs associated with adjusting access at the Neuro Therapy Centre when it is able to re-open.

More information about how to join NeuroFest is available on the Neuro Therapy Centre’s website at www.neurotherapycentre.org/Event/neurofest

About the Neuro Therapy Centre

The Neuro Therapy Centre supports people with neurological conditions including MS, Parkinson’s, ME and MND, and their carers from across Cheshire, North Wales and the Wirral. More details at www.neurotherapycentre.org