MUSICIANS have signed up to a punk fundraiser to help an injured man live a normal life.
Dave “Cox” Warbuton has helped organise the gig for the Anthony Ramsdale Appeal, after hearing that Mr Ramsdale, who was brain damaged following an accident, was unable to easily leave the Acquired Injury Brain Unit in Colwyn Bay.
Dave, 26 from Old Colwyn, plays in “Global Parasite”, one of the punk bands drafted in from all over the UK for the event, which takes place on February 19 in The Ship in Old Colwyn.
Anthony’s father Bernard, who is based in Wigan, said: “We were just overwhelmed when we were approached. To find out that the Conwy community want to help, that people want to do this kind of thing for Anthony, we are very thankful.”
He said that a road traffic accident in 2007 put Anthony in a seven month coma and left him with severe brain damage.
Mr Ramsdale said: “Basically the authorities were about to give up on him and put him in a home, so we started looking for a specialised brain unit.
“Colwyn Bay was on the other side of the World to us but we saw the unit and we knew straight away that this was where he should be.”
Despite having found a caring atmosphere where Anthony receives hydrotherapy and has made progress, his family are concerned that he may be missing out on a vital part of his rehabilitation, getting out and about and socialising, due to the cost of transport.
Mr Ramsdale said: “He is a big football fan. He was supporting Wigan Athletic when the accident happened. He enjoys going to Colwyn Bay Football Club, and the local people love him there.
“But he can’t always go out when transport is available because of his physical state, and it is very expensive to take him out.”
The family are unable to claim the DLA transport allowance, because Anthony does not live with them, despite the fact he is too ill to stay at home.
The punk gig has been set up to raise money toward a specialised car costing several thousand pounds, which will allow Anthony a new lease of life.
Dave said: “We would like to help them in the only way we know how; a night of quality punk rock. We will raise as much money as possible to go towards Anthony's specialised vehicle. Even if Punk Rock isn’t your thing, come along anyway to enjoy the positive atmosphere and support a good cause!”
To find out more or donate, search for “The Anthony Ramsdale Appeal” on Facebook.