The event at the Pavilion venue featured five bands – The Travellin’ Philberries, Free Lunch, Aaron’s Aardvarks, Détente, and Luna Blues. A ‘guitar-o-meter’ display by the stage tracked donations as the show progressed, reaching a magnificent total of £1600.
Before the final song – and to huge cheers – PCRF local co-ordinator Yasmin Bailey made a surprise announcement: an incredibly generous audience member had offered to match fund the sum raised, bringing the total to over £3,000!
The free music festival, now in its second year, is organised by guitarist, Phil Hunt, and drummer, Andy Burring.
Speaking to the Isle of Thanet News, Phil – who played with several of the bands during the afternoon – said: “Since being diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer in March 2017 I’ve been determined to raise awareness and to help raise funds for research into one of the most aggressive forms of cancer which often goes undetected until it’s too late.
“The opportunity to play the RockThePav2 event with so many great musicians, friends and family around me was a memory I shall treasure.”
Andy added: “It was an overwhelming afternoon. The whole show was brilliant and it was such a happy, friendly and supportive crowd who were so generous and really raised the roof as our five excellent bands took to the stage to play for free.”
