August 8th, 2007
A rock star from Petersfield plans to take music to new heights-by playing a gig on Mount Everest. Jamie West-Oram is set to trek with his band The Fixx to the base camp of the world’s highest mountain and then join other groups in playing a unique fundraising concert. Some rock stars may love to get high before a show but few make it to 5,500m. And Mr. West-Oram said he is eagerly looking forward to the project.
“This is something that really excited me. I think it is a really enjoyable experience but the main thing is we raise loads of money.”
The Fixx, Welsh band The Alarm and other musicians, such as Billy Duffy (The Cult), Slim Jim Phantom (Stray Cats), Jimmy Barnes, Dave Wakeling (The Beat) and Glenn Tilbrook (Squeeze) are all hoping to raise case for cancer care in Nepal. The project was instigated by The Alarm lead singer Mike Peters who, after battling and beating leukemia, set up the Love Hope Strength Foundation.
A small crowd of dedicated fans have raised or donated around 7,500 pounds each and will be trekking with the musicians to experiences the one-off concert. A second much larger gig will be played a few days later in Katmandu.
Guitar-player Mr. West-Oram says he is not daunted by the prospect o the climb. “I’m doing what I can do to keep fitter than usual, cycling and that kind of thing,” he said. ”
The only unknown is the altitude as I have never been that high before. It could be touch on the singers so we will drop the key a semi-tone or so.”
Mr. West-Oram, and all the musicians will be traveling free to the event but he believes so passionately in the cause that he will try to match the fundraising efforts of the fans and collect the money for the foundation. “I believe that amount can be exceeded by a long, long way if enough people realize how basic cancer treatment is in Nepal.”
