A SERIES of concerts and theatre performances are being planned to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Support following a request from a dying woman.

Andrea Staniforth, a former office worker for the charity, was told on April 9 she has grade four brain tumours and lung cancer and has less than a year left to live.

She had one brain tumour removed in Sheffield on June 8, when the medical team found another small one.

Mrs Staniforth, 59, now plans to move back to Wiltshire to spend her last few months with family and friends.

Andrea asked her friend, Sally Boyle, 62, who runs the Starry Eyes Talent Show Performance Group to organise some fundraising events for the charity.

Mrs Staniforth worked for Alzheimer’s Support in Trowbridge and supported many Starry Eyes events, as well as providing costumes and props for shows at the Athenaeum Centre in Warminster.

Sally said: “When Andrea first told me of her very sudden, sad and shocking news about her illness, she sent me a message thanking me for working alongside her in all the events we did together.

“We discussed our memories and I asked if there was anything I could do for her. She said: ‘The one thing I would love you to do is to help me raise as much money as possible for Alzheimer’s Support, as this would make me very happy.”

Mrs Boyle has since approached Rachel Fear at Alzheimer’s Support for advice and help and the charity has offered its support.

Trowbridge Town Council has given Mrs Boyle permission to use the Town Park bandstand for musical concerts and entertainment events.

She hopes to tie them in with the Weavers Markets on July 10, August 14, September 11, October 9, November 13 and December 11 when there will be more people in Trowbridge town centre.

Mrs Boyle says the Athenaeum Centre is re-running Calendar Girls in July to support the fundraising for the charity.

The Masqueraders Theatre Group in Warminster has also offered to put on a fundraising performance of the Bad Girls musical on the bandstand.

Mrs Staniforth added: “I think what they’re doing is absolutely wonderful and I just can’t thank them enough.”

Mrs Boyle says: “Starry Eyes are going to kick off the fundraising events by donating £750 to buy a juke box for one of the Alzheimer’s Support centres.

“We are asking all acts who are interested in taking part to come forward. We would like to hear from bands, musical acts, theatre groups, schools or just members of the local community who are willing to give a little bit of their time and talent to help Andrea’s last wishes come true.”

Anyone interested in taking part should contact Mrs Boyle ASAP on 07849 805939 or email A.Jointeffort@mail.com