Special concert for Karen and Molly

Pauline Adair of Corby Drive organised the evening of music in memory of two 'remarkable women' - her friend Karen Blythe and mum Molly Dunseath and all proceeds from the concert will go to the Ulster Cancer Foundation and the Marie Curie Cancer Care.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service Concert Wind Band will be playing at the event which is being hosted by TV personality John Daly. Singers Elizabeth Ross and Dana Masters will be there and making his debut appearance will be Nathan Graham.

Pauline's mum Molly (73) passed away in June 22, 2008 and her friend Karen, of Haddington Hill, died on May 4 this year.

Karen (45) battled with breast cancer for five yearsand passed away at the City Hospital just days after she had hosted a coffee morning at her home which raised 2,500 for a local cancer charity. She discovered she had cancer after being persuaded by younger sister Sandra Milroy to get checked out.

Both women underwent six months of treatment which included gruelling surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. At one stage Karen was given the all clear, however her cancer returned. To help fight it she went to Mexico twice for treatment. Railway Street Presbyterian church, along with friends and family, helped to raise money to send her.

Molly died of uterine cancer which had spread to her bladder two years ago.

Thankful for the support her family received Pauline wanted to hold a concert in her memory.

"We received a lot of support from both charities when my mother was ill," said Pauline. "She was in the hospice for eight weeks to manage her pain and was also at home. The support that we got from the charities was just amazing. I literally could not have managed without them.

"Dad and I nursed her in the end and really without their help we do not know what we would have done. Two Marie Curie nurses came in two to three times a week at night to give us a rest."

Pauline knew Karen from Railway Street Church and was inspired by how she battled against her cancer and had told her earlier this year of her plans for the concert.

"She was constantly amazing," Pauline said. "She was very open and frank about her cancer and she inspired so many people.

"Karen knew that I was organising this concert and had an input in the selection of songs. She picked a song from Oklahoma and The Rose by Bette Midler."

Pauline was involved in a brass band, her husband plays with the NIFRS Wind Band and her father is also involved in a brass band. Karen was also a member of a band as was her father, so it could not be more fitting than having a band play.

Tickets are 12 each for 10 concession and are available from the Box Office at Lagan Valley Island Centre 92-509292 or online at www.tickets.lisburncity.gov.uk.