Tributes were paid today to an “upbeat and always smiling” Teesside lad whose life was tragically cut short in his favourite nightclub.
The friends of Stephen Donovan spoke as they announced a musical celebration for him at the Ku Bar, Stockton, where he died.
Stephen, 23, an apprentice Corus engineer from Normanby, collapsed in March while watching a show with friends and his girlfriend, Katie Bell.
He later died in hospital.
Doctors were unable to explain the exact cause of his death but suggested it may have been a heart problem.
Devastated Katie, speaking for the first time about the tragedy, said:
“He was really friendly and outgoing. Everyone that met him, no one had a bad word to say about him at all.
“He always had a big smile on his face.”
Katie met Stephen at the bar in November 2005 and enjoyed many a night with him there.
She decided she wanted to organise a fitting tribute.
With the help of Stephen’s pals Alex Braithwaite and Fil Dunne, her plans are finally coming together.
An upbeat occasion with acclaimed indie bands is being promised on Saturday at Ku Bar.
Money raised will go to Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) and the British Heart Foundation.
Stephen loved his indie music and was a season ticket holder with the Boro.
Alex, from Middlesbrough, said:
“He was my best mate.
“We always went on nights out together and we went to the Boro games together. He was always happy and up for a night out.
“He was always upbeat and funny.”
Alex managed to secure bands including Reverend and the Makers, who played their Teesside debut at Ku Bar the night Stephen died. The band is fronted by Jon McClure, who made a touching tribute to Stephen while on tour with the Artic Monkeys.
“They dedicated a song to Stephen while on tour with the Arctic Monkeys and we really wanted them there,” said Katie, 23.
“We chose CRY because the charity has been supportive to us and Stephen’s parents especially. We have also had a lot of support from family and Stephen’s friends, which has helped a lot.”
the event is called I’m with Stupid, and will also feature The Romance, Si McCabe of Blackwire and the Vennablast.
Adam Sharratt, 22, bass player with The Romance, said: “It’s a worthy cause and should be a really good night.”
Raffle prizes will include handmade silver jewellery, fragrances from House of Fraser, signed Arctic Monkeys merchandise, signed Reverend and the Makers merchandise and a signed Boro football.
Fil Dunne, 28, from Acklam produced the posters for the event.
“The people who are showing interest are really good people. Some are coming from Washington and we are even getting people from Leeds and Sheffield, where Reverend and the Makers are from.
“It’s going to be a brilliant night, moving and fund but not sombre. That’s why we called it what we did. Stephen would have preferred it that way.”
The concert takes place between 8pm and 3am and tickets, priced £5 or £6 on the door, are available from Ku Bar on Prince Regent Street and Vintageville, Stockton.
