The Andover community is mobilising for a massive weekend charity music event, “Courage Against Cancer,” to support local mother Fatma McCauley in her fight against aggressive cancer.
The festival aims to raise vital funds for life-saving treatment abroad, offering Fatma a renewed chance at life and precious time with her daughter, Leyla.
Fatma McCauley, the loving heart of her family and full-time carer for her wheelchair-bound, non-verbal daughter Leyla, was recently given a devastating prognosis after her breast cancer spread aggressively to her liver. Following the difficult decision to move Leyla into a care home and with the NHS having exhausted its options, Fatma and her sister, Esin, refused to concede.
Esin’s tireless research led them to hope in overseas treatments, including Trans-Arterial Chemoembolisation (TACE) in Germany, which costs €3,900 per cycle. Fatma’s determination has seen her travel to Frankfurt for urgent TACE treatment, and after four cycles, scans show an “amazing response” with her tumours shrinking significantly. The family is now fighting to continue this treatment, with every cycle being crucial to her chance of complete remission.
A Weekend of Local Music and Community Spirit
The event will see over 80 musicians come together to play for free at various venues over the weekend.
A highlight of the weekend will be the appearance of 80s tribute band Weird Science, featuring Andover Radio’s own presenter, Jacques Joubert. Jacques will also be hosting a live auction of donated 80’s memorabilia, adding a touch of nostalgia and fun to the fundraising efforts.
Attendees are encouraged to visit the participating local pubs—The Angel Inn, The Foresters, The Globe, The Station, The White Hart, and The Anton Arms—to enjoy the music and show their support for local venues and artists, whose generosity has made this event possible.
Full Line-Up: Friday 10th & Saturday 11th October
The full artist line-up for the two-day event is as follows:
FRIDAY 10TH OCTOBER
| Time | The Angel Inn | The Foresters |
| 6 PM | Chris Berntsen | Kat Hannah |
| 7 PM | Richard Baugh | Rosie Spencer |
| 8 PM | Rich Harris | J-Mie |
| 9 PM | Showponies feat Guest Vocalists | Georgie Amelia |
| 10 PM | Sarah McNair |
SATURDAY 11TH OCTOBER
| Time | The Angel Inn | The Globe | The Station |
| 3 PM | Paul Jude Wilson | Stephanie Jade | Cat Hannah |
| 4 PM | Charles Allison | Rob Butler | Jake Ward |
| 5 PM | JM3085 | Two Trick Ponies | India Lily |
| 6 PM | ARKSEE | Sock Puppet Jukebox | Lauren & Hardy |
| 7 PM | Pete Hotston | Chanel Clark | Pornstar Jacuzzi |
| 8 PM | Ohms Law | Side Plot | Uncle Tom Cobleys |
| Time | The White Hart | The Foresters | The Anton Arms |
| 9 PM | Weird Science | Rum Soaked | Revival Bandaoke |
The community is urged to come out, enjoy the fantastic local music, support the pubs, and most importantly, donate to give Fatma McCauley the future she deserves.
To support Fatma’s fight, donations can be made online via the JustGiving page.
