Milton Keynes musician launches rock events to raise awareness of mental illness after tragic death

James Ives is launching Rock For Change, a campaign with the aim of using music and events to raise awareness of mental illness and to support the charities and organisations who provide support for sufferers and families through testing times in their lives.

James said: “There is very much a stigma attached to mental illness and people do not talk about it as openly as maybe they should.

“Rock For Change came about following the news of a dear friend’s son taking his own life. I was shocked and saddened to hear about this and decided that I was going to take this horrible news and turn it into something positive where hopefully we can prevent this happening and maybe save a person’s life.

“Given my passion for music and being a previous sufferer of mental illness myself, it is something that I feel very strongly about.”

James has now managed to organise his first gig which will be at The Cock Hotel in Stony Stratford, where the large function room has been donated for the event, on March 1, 2019, at 7.30pm. Admission will be free and there will be a number of live bands.

James already has the support of a number of businesses around the local area including Silverstone Circuit, The Cock Hotel, Hollywood Music Shop and Abbey Hill Golf Course.

He added: “Rock For Change have seen a lot of interest from organisations such as Talk For Change, Mind and The Samaritans

“We are currently in talks with them to build a relationship and hopefully have them onboard very soon so we can begin raising awareness with their support and fundraise for them.

“There will be a number of live bands playing throughout the evening as well as a prize draw with some great prizes from Silverstone Circuit and Abbey Hill Golf Centre to name a few. The money raised will go to the charities listed and we can help support their causes as much as possible.”

If you want to support James, email [email protected], visit ww.rockforchange.org.uk, find Rock For Change on Facebook.