By Julie Morgan

Last updated at 10:29, Thursday, 09 April 2009

SISTERS were doing it for themselves on Saturday night – with a little help from the lads!

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A cracking line-up of acts performed at the Women Rock Whitehaven charity concert raising over £5,300 for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

Sponsored by Sellafield Ltd and organised by Judith Jones, the evening offered the Whitehaven Civic Hall audience some powerful classics from The Beatles, The Killers, Led Zeppelin and Tracy Chapman.

Kicking off the show were Committed 2 Rock, a new choir put together specifically for the concert, whose enthusiasm was infectious.

It was the first time the choir had performed on stage, but there wasn’t a sign of nerves and it was an impressive sound from a group who only came together a few months ago.

Next on stage were Kitchie Wud who produced a fabulous acoustic set led by singer Paula Kerr. She pulled off some great covers of The Foo Fighters and Radiohead as well as a lovely version of Lisa Loeb’s You Say.

Winner of Maryport Blues Festival battle of the bands, was South Quay, who blasted their way through a rocking set of classics such as Stay With Me Baby and their own material.

The lead singer nearly blew the top off the Civic Hall and her sexy, red, stiletto boots were certainly an exciting distraction for the men!

Finishing the night of rock women was the diva herself, Judith Jones, with her band. She took control of the stage backed by her cracking musicians who stormed their way through a set which looked as if they might blow the amps.

The concert’s final moments saw all performers on stage singing the anthemic Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves. A right riotous night was had by all.

Cutting through the music was Eileen Toner’s moving story of her experiences with breast cancer that reminded people of the need to raise cash. She spoke eloquently about her life.

Eileen, of Sandwith, was diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago and continues to receive treatment. She was told about her cancer two weeks after burying her sister, Tisha McDougal, who had died of breast and ovarian cancer at 49.

Eileen and Tisha’s mother, Mary Toner, died of breast cancer at 49 and her mother, Esther Campbell also died of the disease when she was 36.

Eileen and Tisha’s sister, Maggie Toner-Edgar, elected to have a hysterectomy in her thirties, she will be 49 this year. I am pleased I was brave enough to have the surgery and hopefully will be here to mark my 50th birthday next year,” she said.

“Judith is a close friend and what she has done is incredible. People will be indebted for their lives with the money that was raised from the concert.’’

Maggie also paid tribute to Cathy Marcangelo, who helped organise the choir with Judith, and Barbara Scrugham for her dedication.

Judith said: “It was hard work, but well worth it. There were a lot of unsung heroes, such as the backstage lads, and we are grateful to the Civic Hall. When you hear Eileen and Maggie’s story you feel powerless. Through my love of music, I hope I can help in a small way.’’

For further donations contact Judith at judithjonesband@ btinternet.com

First published at 15:51, Wednesday, 08 April 2009
Published by http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk