I have testicular cancer but I'm performing to help other people who also have cancer in Manchester

Fundraising at The Yard includes Stranger Ways, a weekend-long outdoor music event on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 July timed to coincide with the highly anticipated Oasis reunion gigs at Heaton Park. The festival will feature live performances from local favourites The Lilacs, Alex Spencer, Dirty Blonde, Florentenes, Aziz Ibrahim, Lily Rae Grant and Strawberry Lemonade, plus a charity auction with exclusive music memorabilia.

The event has a deeply personal significance for those involved. Mark Hamburger, co-founder of The Yard, said: "The Christie means a huge amount to us personally. I lost my dad, Cyril, to cancer, and The Christie gave us incredible care. We raised over £125,000 in 2005 in his memory, and we’re determined to go even further this time."

That connection is shared by Sam Birchall, lead guitarist of The Lilacs, who is currently being treated for testicular cancer at The Christie, he said: "I was diagnosed in late February and had surgery almost immediately.”

Adding: "At first, the consultants feared the cancer had spread, but thankfully I’ve since been given the all-clear. I’ll still be monitored every six weeks at The Christie."

Sam co-founded The Lilacs in 2019, naming the band after The Lilac Centre in St Helens where his mum was treated before she passed away in 2018.

He said: "It makes it even more meaningful for me to be involved in this gig to help raise money and awareness for such a fantastic cause through doing something we all love. Although we’re the ones on stage getting the praise, it really should be the staff at The Christie who get the plaudits. They’re everyday heroes."

For more information on The Yard and its summer events: www.theyardmcr.com