Last year, one of our Facebook group members, Carl Blair, sadly passed away. To celebrate his life, his family and friends are putting on a musical fundraising evening to raise funds and awareness for three charities close to his heart. We caught up with Carl’s wife Debbie, and friend Liam, to find out more..

Debbie, we were so sorry to hear of Carl's passing last year, tell us about Carl and his experience with Alopecia UK..

Carl suffered from Alopecia from the age of 8 & was an active member of the Alopecia UK Facebook Group since 2015, he was always offering support and encouraging others to stay upbeat & keep smiling. This group definitely helped him, sharing information and positively raising awareness. 

Carl organised a fundraising event for Alopecia UK back in 2015, taking the lead with his Robbie Williams tribute act. He had a fabulous singing voice and would rehearse over and over, the show had to be perfect and the audience just loved him. 

Liam, tell us about the fundraising event to celebrate Carl’s life..

This fundraising event, dubbed ‘The Concert for Carl’, will be a charity evening of live musical acts performed by as many of Carl’s family, friends, and associates as we could appeal to join the cause, come together, and deliver a fantastic night of entertainment. It will be the perfect way to celebrate what would have been the weekend of his 60^th birthday and honour his memory whilst advocating the organisations he most supported. The proceeds from the night will be split between causes; Alopecia UK, Hospice of the Good Shepherd and Claire House Children's Hospice. 

It will be held at The Groves Sports & Social Club Ltd, Whitby, Ellesmere Port CH66 2NZ on Saturday 8^th October from 7pm ‘til late. We are asking for £5 donations on the door (cash please!). If anyone from the alopecia community would like to attend, we'd love to see you there. 

What do you think Carl would have thought about the event?

Liam: I think Carl would have wholeheartedly approved and encouraged this event, as he was often involved in organising such charity fundraisers himself, both as an entertainer and a promoter. Without a doubt, he would have been the headline act performing as his Robbie Williams tribute and thrilling the audience as he so often did.

Debbie: Over the years Carl has raised thousands for various charities. As well as his Robbie Williams tribute act which is how the majority of people will fondly remember Carl, he would also sing in a band with the guys who he worked with which he loved.

I know he would have been very proud that we chose Alopecia UK for the money that was collected from his funeral service. That day was a special celebration of his life with so much singing including a gospel choir which is exactly what he would have wanted. 

Both Carl and I had been planning a joint 60th Birthday celebration party for October this year & so I feel this event will be an amazing tribute to continue to keep his memory alive, whilst raising funds and awareness for Alopecia UK again along with two other wonderful charities.