Tommy has raised £1,570 for the charity — a cause close to his heart — by setting up a Just Giving page that encourages High on Hopers to offer support.
Tommy, who swapped East Lancs in the 1990s to live in India where he spent 20 years exploring the Himalayas and immersing himself in the culture, boosted donations to the page by offering his dance music fans the chance to buy colourful High on Hope pin badges and framed artwork.
He commissioned the unique and now much sought after pieces from Clitheroe stained glass artist Abi Fielding through her company Holyfritart.
Tommy said: “Thank you to everyone who has supported my fundraising. I’ve never been about profit. My focus has always been on creating memorable experiences and bringing people together through music. This is why I first became involved in organising events and creating spaces where people could connect and enjoy themselves.
“Any actual profits I like to share with charities that mean something to me and also, give back by working with smaller local companies such as Abi’s Holyfritart.”
Tommy added: “The especially rewarding thing about my events now is that they bring people of all ages and backgrounds together.
“I have people coming, who were into acid house and rave culture when it first started back in the late 1980s. As dance music has continued to evolve since then, they now come along with their grandchildren to enjoy a mix of retro and new music. This makes the vibe so positive.”
Tommy’s next High on Hope event is in Darwen on Saturday, March 1, at The Boomtown Basement when Burnley Ibiza legend Matty "Robo" Robinson’ will headline.
Also on the decks that evening will be up-and-coming duo Pyralis, High on Hope 2024 debutants, the female duo Infrared, who went on to wow crowds at last year’s Ribble Valley Beatherder Festival, and Maia Tauri, who is invited back to play her third High on Hope set.
Tickets are on sale via the booking site Skiddle for the early bird price of £8.50 plus booking fee, https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Blackburn/The-Basement-Borough-Road-Darwen/Boomtoon-Basement/40629510/
Both Pyralis and Infrared are also on the bill for Tommy’s annual Bedlam Beats at Biggins Farm in the hamlet of Bedlam, Accrington. It takes place on Saturday, 3rd May, from 6 pm.
Its headliner is expected to be Blackburn DJ Danny Dee, an icon on the scene, renowned for his unmatched vinyl old skool mixes and his impeccable selection and skills behind the decks. After this event, Pyralis is heading off on a tour that will take them to Manchester, London and Miami!
Tickets for Bedlam Beats are also on sale for £20 plus booking fee via Skiddle, https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Blackburn/Biggins-Farm-BB5-3SL--Biggins-Farm--Accrington--BB5-3SJ/Bedlam-Beats/40600326/
From Accrington, High on Hope will bring the party to Gisburn Forrest on Saturday, 9th August, with Jane Angel, Rob Tissera, Dream Frequency and Acid Alf, who is also playing Bedlam Beats, taking over the decks.
Yvonne Stott, events and community fundraiser for Rosemere Cancer Foundation, said: “Thank you to Tommy and his team and all the High on Hope family for their wonderful support!
“It’s quite unusual for us as a cancer charity to find ourselves at the centre of rave culture but then cancer is no respecter of age, background or genres so it makes it fitting. Tommy’s events sound like a lot of fun.”
Rosemere Cancer Foundation works to bring world class cancer treatments and services to cancer patients from throughout Lancashire and South Cumbria being treated at Rosemere Cancer Centre, which is the region’s specialist cancer treatment and radiotherapy centre at the Royal Preston Hospital, and also at another eight local hospital cancer units across the two counties, including those at the Royal Blackburn and Burnley General Teaching Hospitals.
The charity funds cutting-edge equipment, clinical research, staff training and innovative services and initiatives that the NHS cannot afford in order to make patients’ cancer journey more effective, comfortable and stress-free. For further information on its work, including how to make a donation, visit www.rosemere.org.uk