LOCAL journalist Ken Bird is staging a charity fund-raiser next month after undergoing two major cancer operations in the past nine months.

‘One Night of Elvis’ at Wellington Football Club on Saturday, May 27, will see all proceeds going to Stand Up To Cancer/Cancer Research UK.

A routine blood test last summer led to Ken being diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Ken, who started his career training on the Wellington Weekly, said: “After my prostate was removed at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital in August, I was told that a pre-op scan had also revealed cancer on my right lung.

“A third of the lung was subsequently removed at Bristol Royal Infirmary in January.

“They were both big ops but thankfully my recovery appears to have gone really well.

“It is hard to put into words how much my wife Jeanette and I have appreciated the care I received from the wonderful NHS staff at Taunton’s Musgrove Park Hospital, in Exeter, and also Bristol.

“Indeed, they say actions speak louder than words and that is why we are raising money for Stand Up To Cancer to help fund life-saving research.

“Cancer changes lives, and so does this marvellous charity.”

Headlining the fund-raiser will be Stuart Horne with his tribute to Elvis.

Ken said: “We have seen Stuart perform quite a few times and he is also a popular guest at the Sunday concerts in Wellington Park. He always puts on a great show.

“We will also be running a raffle and hope local businesses will donate prizes to boost the fund-raising effort.”

Tickets are £10, including a ploughman’s supper, and can be purchased by emailing [email protected] or calling 07555 102683.

For anybody who cannot attend but would like to make a donation, there is an online giving page at https://bit.ly/3mQJiYn.

Ken said: “All the money raised will support researchers to get new tests and treatments across the line faster, so more lives get saved.

“Please