The Simon Fraser University Pipe Band has raised nearly $25,000 for the B.C. Cancer Foundation in support of band member Andrew Bonar, through its fund-raising efforts and ticket sales for a sold-out concert set to take place Saturday (March 28).
Those who missed out on tickets are in luck, however, as the performance at the SFU Theatre will also be live-streamed starting at 6 p.m.
Bonar, a member of the SFU band since the early 1980s and one of the world’s foremost solo pipers, was diagnosed last fall. He will attend the concert, which will also feature his 10-year-old daughter, Kate, an accomplished Highland dancer.
Following the concert several band members, including Pipe Sergeant Jack Lee, brother Terry Lee and Lead Drummer Reid Maxwell, will take part in ‘Balding for Boney’ at Club Ilia (at UniverCity’s Cornerstone), where the band is hosting a ceilidh, a gathering of informal live music.
The international piping community has also stepped in, pushing early sales of the SFU band’s August 2015 concert in Scotland as a way to recognize the March 28 performance. To date nearly 700 tickets have already been sold.
In his online publication, Pipingpress.com, Scottish editor Robert Wallace wrote, “Clearly the hundreds of people in the pipe band and solo piping community who know and respect Andrew will not be able to travel to SFU’s very worthwhile concert.
“But we in Scotland and those from abroad can show solidarity with the band and Andrew by buying their tickets (for the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall) now. What better way to let Andrew know we are thinking of him…let’s do it for SFU and more than anything, let’s do it for Andrew.”
Says band manager Rob MacNeil: “We’re ecstatic with the fundraising response from around the world and the speed at which Saturday’s events sold out. We’ll continue to encourage donations to this cause, with Andrew at the forefront of our thoughts, beyond the event.”
Donations can be made at http://at.sfu.ca/wKhygB
