A special charity gig celebrating the local music scene as well as a lost loved one is to be held next month in Washington. 

Featuring six of the most venerated bands hailing from Washington and the surrounding area, The Hometown Parade is not only intended to be a showcase of local bands, but is also dedicated to the memory of 23-year-old Stephen Donovan who died of an undiscovered heart defect in March of last year. 

Stephen was a  much loed friend of many of the bands in Washington and in particular indie rock outfit The Vennablast of which he followed regularly. 

After a night out with his girlfriend Katie Bell and friends supporting The Vennablast at a gig in Stockton on March 25 of last year, Stephen suddenly took ill and was rushed to hospital.  He was later pronounced dead. 

The pathologist report cited four minor abnormalities in Stephen's heart, including a valve, which controlled blood flow.  Further police investigations proved Stephen, of the Mount, Normanby, had not drunk excessively on the night.  Andrew  Cole, organiser of the event and close friend to Stephen and his girlfriend Katie, said:

"He was a smashing young man who even in the short time we knew him managed to befriend the town of Washington." 

All bands will be playing for free and all proceeds from the event will go to CRY, Cardiac Risk in the Young, charity, which has among its patrons David Walliams and Ian Botham. 

Bands scheduled to perform are: The Columbian Pirates, Melted Dog, The Vennablast, Andy Parmley of Lurios (Stockton), the Six Fifties, The Beau's and Andrew's band Solomon's Burden. 

Andrew adds: "The response to the event has been fantastic, and to be honest I have been overwhelmed by the excitement and demand that this has caused." 

With so many promising bands performing, the gig will certainly deliver in entertainment value and will also help a worthy cause, reason enough to get yourself down there. 

The gig takes place on February 16 at the Stella Marris, Albany Centre, Washington.  Tickets are £5 and are on sale at the Stella Morris.  Doors open at 7pm. 

There is a memorial fund set up for Stephen on the CRY web site www.c-r-y.org.uk