Tribute evening for Croydon leukaemia victim Daniel De-Gale (From Croydon Guardian)

Tribute evening for Croydon leukaemia victim Daniel De-Gale

11:50am Monday 9th November 2009

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A leukaemia charity is hosting a tribute evening of top live performers in memory of Daniel De-Gale who died last year.

The African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT) was initially set up to help find a donor for Daniel after it was discovered that very few black, mixed race and ethnic minority donors are listed on the bone marrow register.

The evening in Hackney Empire Theatre on November 14 will be especially poignant as it is the first place Daniel’s parents, the charity’s co-founders, took their appeal to back in 1996.

Beverley De-Gale, Daniel’s mother, said: “We had a health mobile set up outside the theatre and we asked the audience to give a sample of blood to see if they could be Daniel’s life saver.

“Sixty-four black and mixed race people queued to give a sample of blood. It is highly appropriate we have gone back to our original birth place to host a memorial concert for Daniel.”

Britain’s Got Talent’s Peridot, MOBO award-winning saxophonist Yolanda Brown and world-renowned violinist Daniel Addagio will join poet Mark ‘Mr T’ Thompson and comedians such as Felix Dexter, Eddie Kadi and Wayne ‘Dibbi’ Rollins onstage from 8pm.

The London Community Gospel Choir and the Genesis Gospel Choir will also perform alongside musical acts such as Kyla & Meleka, Bashy, DJ Abrantee EMZ MC and Crazy Cousinz live feat MC Versatile.

Hip-hop artist Sway said: "Daniel De-Gale was a great example of persistence being the key that opens doors to success and unity. His faith and memory lives in us all and we will honour that at this event."

Tickets are £15-20 and can be purchased at the Hackney Empire box office on 020 8985 2424 or online at www.purchase.tickets.com/buy/TicketPurchase.

Around 29,000 donors have now signed up to the UK registery as a result of the ACLT’s campaign.

For more information, or to make a donation to the charity visit www.aclt.org or call 020 8240 4480.

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