FANS of the Scottish rock band Del Amitri have raised thousands of pounds for charity after lead singer Justin Currie was diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
Last month, Currie revealed his diagnosis during an interview with BBC Radio 4.
The 59-year-old frontman said he had begun to suspect something was wrong after he had trouble holding onto his guitar plectrum.
More than a year after first visiting his GP, Currie was officially diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
In the immediate aftermath of the announcement, people began contacting the Del Amitri fan club page on Facebook asking if they could donate to charity to show support for Currie.
The fans who ran the page then decided to contact Currie himself to find out which charity he would like them to donate to.
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He responded telling fans to donate to Reprieve, a legal action charity which provides legal representation for people who have faced human rights abuses.
“I have been a big fan of Reprieve’s tireless legal work in Guantanamo and representing people under sentence of death, the most iniquitous punishment meted out by human organisations,” said Currie.
“I regard institutional violence as the basest of all human activity and any court handing down such punishment as morally redundant.”
So far, fans of the band have raised more than £4500, with many posting messages of support for Currie on the official fundraiser, which has a target of £5000.
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One said: “Please keep making music, the last couple of years have been as amazing as anything else you have ever done. Wishing you the best Justin!”
While another added: “Worthy cause, good luck in your own battle Justin”.
Anyone who donates will be entered into a prize draw to win a copy of the band’s newly reissued vinyl of their 1995 album Twisted, which is signed by both Justin Currie and guitarist Iain Harvie.
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