Peter WalshThe man behind a concert aimed at raising vital funds to help form a new charity which will tackle male cancers has today appealed to the public help snap up the remaining tickets.Peter Walsh

The man behind a concert aimed at raising vital funds to help form a new charity which will tackle male cancers has today appealed to the public help snap up the remaining tickets.

Prostate cancer survivor Mel Lacey has been trying to start a charity aimed exclusively at men after he won his battle with the disease.

Mr Lacey, a freelance media solutions consultant, has vowed to launch a Blue Ribbon Foundation (BRF) for men to emulate the work the Pink Ribbon Foundation has done for women in their battle against cancer but needs between �5,000 and �10,000 to get it started.

The charity is due to be launched at a gig at the University of East Anglia (UEA) next week which will be headlined by Hollow Earth and The Harvs.

The bands have agreed to appear for free at the concert, which takes place at the UEA's LCR on Friday, April 16 from 7.30pm, so that every penny can go towards the BRF.

Mr Lacey, 61, said ticket sales for the event, which is being sponsored by independent financial advisers Smith and Pinching, had been steady, but has urged people to help the charity by buying the remaining tickets.

He said: 'As will as being a gig where all the door receipts go towards the launch of the Blue Ribbon Foundation, I would stress that at just �10, this will be the cheapest 'live' gig at the UEA this year and where else can people get to see two live bands for a tenner?

'The success of this gig and the subsequent launching of a BRF will mean that more men can be alerted to the threat of all male cancers. I have been very fortunate my wonderful surgeon Mr Edwin Ho caught my cancer just in time - now I want to do all I can to give other men that same chance.'

Mr Lacey said he also hoped to land a backdrop for the event to help bring a bit of colour to the large UEA stage. He has been in discussion with some theatres in the region, including the Norwich Theatre Royal and Maddermarket Theatre in the city, but would like to hear from anyone else who might be able to help.

Tickets are �10 from the UEA box office on 01603 508050 or from Mel Lacey by email at mel.lacey@talktalk.net. Tickets will also be available on the door.

Are you raising money in memory of a loved one or friend? Call Evening News reporter Peter Walsh on 01603 772436 or email peter.walsh@archant.co.uk