Feeling blue? We can Fix that

As Boxing Day draws to a close, there's neither time nor reason to get the post-Christmas blues.

Because in just 48 hours from now - that's Wednesday 28 December - the gig of the year will be getting underway at the magnificent Kiwi's Brew Bar in Portrush.

The Fix are reforming after 25 years. And it's all in the name of charity with Alzheimer's Research UK the chosen beneficiary

For so many of us who grew up on the Causeway Coast in the late 1980s and early 1990s, The Fix will be forever remembered with great affection for their live performances in the White Pheasant, Deerstalker and Barn sections of the legendary Kelly's Portrush.

 

That's me slap bang in the middle of shot - taken circa 1989 - with my mouth hanging open.  What a stunner. 

And now a shared desire to raise much-needed funding to tackle dementia has persuaded original frontman Jonny Lennox and bassist Paul Beattie to come back together after 25 years to play on Wednesday night.  They will be joined by new boy Peter Jamison on drums and percussion.

See. Age can sometimes be kind.  I hate them.

Entry is free but everyone will be asked to place a donation to Alzheimer's Research UK into a guitar case at the front of the stage.

And the show itself is just part of the band’s efforts to raise cash for a cause close to many people’s hearts.

Raffle tickets priced at £5 are already on sale with a range of exciting prizes donated by local businesses up for grabs.

These include a:

Brand new 5/3 wetsuit from Troggs, Portrush
Voucher for Causeway Coast Foodie Tours
Voucher for the Causeway Coasteering
Voucher for lessons with Portrush Surf School
Framed picture of the Dark Hedges from Northern Shore Photography
Framed Hugh Adams Northern Ireland-inspired print
Framed picture from A Broader Picture, Portstewart
Gift voucher for Truva Chargrill, Coleraine

Raffle tickets can be bought in person at Kiwi’s Brew Bar and Troggs.

Alternatively, you can log on to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Alzheimer-raffle-Portrush and, for every £5 donated, a raffle ticket number will be allocated. 

Jonny Lennox, lead vocalist and guitarist with the Fix, said: "We’re delighted by the response since the gig was announced. More than £1,500 has already been raised from the raffle and we’re very grateful to the businesses who have been so kind in providing prizes.  We have set ourselves a target of £2,500 and I’m very hopeful that we’re get there.

"Thanks also to Kris Charteris at Kiwi’s Brew Bar, which recently won the Urban category at the 2016 Northern Ireland Pub of the Year Awards, for providing the venue and helping us to promote the event.

"The pressure is now on us old boys to put on a show worthy of Alzheimer's Research UK, the excellent cause we want to help.  We’re deep into rehearsals and aim to recreate some of the old magic from a time when we had a lot more hair and a lot less to worry about!  I hope local people and visitors to the North Coast will get behind us.  It promises to be a great night."    

Kris Charteris, owner of Kiwi’s Brew Bar, said: "Jonny has always been a great supporter of mine and it is a pleasure to do my bit to help The Fix raise what I hope will be a heap of cash for Alzheimer's Research UK. Portrush is where the band made its name and it’s appropriate that they will be rekindling the old magic right in the heart of the town."

One of Alzheimer’s Research UK’s most prominent supporters is award-winning Coleraine actor James Nesbitt whose mother passed away with Alzheimer’s disease in 2012 after what he calls ‘the longest goodbye’. The Cold Feet star spoke at the Alzheimer’s Research UK 2013 Network Conference where he made a powerful call for greater investment in dementia research.

Hannah Reynolds, Community and Sporting Officer at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: "We are delighted that The Fix will be reuniting after 25 years especially for a Christmas gig in support of Alzheimer’s Research UK. It is fantastic news that £1,500 has already been raised before the event has taken place. Supporters like The Fix help us in our quest to find effective treatments and preventions for dementia, a condition which more than 20,000 people are living with in Northern Ireland."

Please come along if you can. I've seen the setlist and, trust me, it's going to be fantastic.  

The boys are due on stage at 10pm with a late bar to follow.  I'll be somewhere near the front trying desperately not to get too nostalgic.  And failing dismally.  I hope to see you there.