CityLife

Rourke reveals Versus Cancer hopes

Rourke playing at the 2007 bash

MUSIC fans concerned that things had gone quiet on the Versus Cancer front might be reassured to know that organiser Andy Rourke  still hopes to put on a show.

The charity concerts at the M.E.N Arena, in support of the Christie Hospital, have attracted big names, including Noel Gallagher, Paul Weller, Ian Brown and the Happy Mondays.

However, the Diary was getting concerned that there had so far been no announcement about an event for 2009 in support of the Christie Hospital and decided to give Rourke a ring.

But Rourke, former bass player with The Smiths, tells me that Versus Cancer is another event to have been hit by the credit crunch, adding:

“Like everything else, charities have been hit by the current economic climate,” Rourke tells me.

“And that means that it’s harder to put something together.

“But we’re still hoping to do something but it will probably be later on in the summer and possibly outdoors.

“Another problem has been trying to tie down the artists that we wanted to appear because they have all been very busy.

“I do hope that we can stage another Versus Cancer event at some point this year.”