THERE was a ‘lot of love in the room’ at a rock ‘n’ roll fundraising tribute evening for the partner of a Redditch woman.
Friends and family of Gerry Richardson packed out Gilt Edge Club in Kidderminster to remember the man who was well known to all as ‘Gerry from Worcester’.
The night raised £1,500 for Primrose Hospice which supported Gerry and his partner Eve in the last months of his life.
In April 2017, Gerry was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. He died in November 2018, aged 76.
His partner Eve, from Wire Hill in Redditch, said: “Primrose supported Gerry and myself so well during the last months of his life, neither of us could imagine how we would have coped without them.”
Gerry was well known and well-loved in the rock and roll community, having been on the scene since the 1970s.
He ran the very popular Rock and Roll Club at Christopher Whitehead School in Worcester for 12 years up until 2009.
Eve said: “The dance was his idea and I promised him that I would make it happen.
“He wanted all his friends to come together and remember him, to enjoy a really good evening and to raise money for Primrose.
“People came from all over. It was a phenomenal evening, with a lot of love in the room and the floor constantly full.”
Gerry’s favourite band, Mark Keeley’s Good Rockin’ Tonight performed and, along with DJ, JD (Just Dec), kept the beat flowing.
“There was a real buzz in the room – as if someone had sprinkled magic dust,” said Eve.
Sarah Harris, community fundraiser at Primrose Hospice, said: “It is humbling to hear what a difference Primrose Hospice’s support makes to a family going through a difficult time.
“This support is only possible thanks to the fundraising efforts of our wonderful community.”
