A WIDOWER is set to pull out all the stops with a rock music festival in aid of the Macmillan nurses who cared for his late wife.

Ray Hornsby is still grieving for his wife Sheila, who was given a terminal diagnosis after doctors discovered a cancerous tumour in her head, or osteosarcoma, in 2010.

The brave grandmother battled the disease for two years with Macmillan Cancer Support supporting her and her family every step of the way.

Sadly, Mrs Hornsby passed away aged just 61 in October 2012 but Mr Hornsby was so thankful for the charity’s support that he threw a live music festival at his home in South Church, Bishop Auckland, in 2014.

The event went down so well he made it an annual event with rock music stars Peter Barton and his All Stars 60s Band being regular highlights.

All Stars 60s band legends include John Steel from The Animals, Graham Pollock of The Hollies as well as Geoff Hammond from The Easy Beats.

Pete Hughs from The Hollies & The Mind Benders and Bernard Southern with The Linda Gail Lewis Band and Sister of Jerry Le Lewis also make up the band.

Meanwhile, other acts who will take to the stage include Cassandra, Kris Atkins, Tony Washington, Bernie and The Blue Notes, Time Check and Betcha by Golly Wow.

To accommodate the demand for this year’s all-day live music show, Mr Hornsby, along with his friend and fellow organiser, Kevin Marley, will be hosting it at the Civic Hall, in Shildon, on Saturday, June 30, from 3pm. Doors open at 2pm.

Mr Hornsby, 78, said: “What Macmillan did for Sheila while she was ill, you could not put a price on and we want to raise money so they can help others.

“It wasn’t just them being there, it’s the way they did everything. They arranged how to get help from all sorts of areas that I would not have thought of.”

The car trader added: “It’s just my way of giving thanks for what they did. The Macmillan nurses were there two to three times a day and even came to the funeral - nothing was too much trouble for them.”

Mrs Hornsby said his wife of 26 years never complained and would have enjoyed the event.

Mr Marley, 59, said the pair hoped to attract 300 people to the event and raise £4,500 for the charity as a raffle and will also be held.

He also thanked those involved who have offered their services for free.

“We will just keep going for as long as we can and with the Civic, we hope to make as much money as we can for the charity," he said.

Senior fundraising manager for County Durham and Washington, Michelle Muir, said: "It's absolutely amazing that Ray is doing it in memory of his wife.It costs £210 to fund a Macmillan nurse for one day."

If you would like to donate a raffle prize or book tickets, which cost £15, call Mr Hornsby on 07970416946 or Mr Marley on 07939653966.

For more information about Macmillan Cancer Support contact Ms Muir on 07809554967 or 0300-1000200 or email mmuir@macmillan.org.uk