A Fife man who survived one of the rarest forms of cancer has launched Scotland’s first indoor progressive rock festival.
Prog in the Park, taking place at the Glen Pavilion in Dunfermline’s Pittencrieff Park on Saturday April 6, will raise funds for Maggie’s Fife and Sarcoma UK.
Organiser Kevin O’Neil, 49, from Inverkeithing, had life-saving surgery in 2015 when surgeons removed a tumour the size of a bowling ball from his chest.
The father-of-one is one of just 15 people worldwide diagnosed with malignant myopericytoma and continues to suffer ongoing pain.
Mr O’Neil said: “I’m well known for being the man who beat a massive tumour, but those who know me well also know I’m a massive Marillion fan.
“I’ve wanted to launch a prog rock gig in Fife for some time but ill-health prevented me – until now.
“I wanted to raise funds for Maggie’s, who gave fantastic support and friendship to me and my family, and also Sarcoma UK, which my condition falls under, to raise awareness of this condition.”
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The prog rock event, which Mr O’Neil is co-promoting with his friend Brian Neeson, will feature headliners StillMarillion and a line-up which includes Genesis tribute band AfterGlow.
It has been backed by Fife MPs Lesley Laird and Douglas Chapman.
Mr O’Neil added: “A massive thanks to Brian Neeson for all his hard work, Dunfermline BID, Douglas Chapman MP and Lesley Laird MP, along with everyone else that is involved.
“I hope that we can raise a lot of cash, and awareness for Maggie’s Centres and Sarcoma UK.”
Mr Neeson said: “Having been a co-producer of two charity music events in 2018, including the award-nominated Yes Fan Convention at London Palladium in March, I’m delighted to be working with Kevin on Prog in the Park.
“It feels so rewarding to promote the music you love, while at the same time providing funds and awareness for two deserving causes.”
Labour MP Mrs Laird, who donated a signed bottle of whisky for the event’s raffle, said: “Kevin’s journey is marked by phenomenal bravery.
“It’s phenomenal he’s now launching a prog rock festival and I hope Fife communities will lend him support, rally around this event and raise money for very worthwhile causes.”
Mr Chapman, local SNP MP, added: “The fact the money raised will go to the Sarcoma UK charity and to support Maggie’s Centres, which help many cancer sufferers and their families, makes this music event in Dunfermline all the more appealing.
“I hope that many people will want to attend the Prog in the Park event, but also give as generously as they can to support these charities.”
The event kicks off at 11am and is scheduled to finish by 11pm. Tickets, costing £28, are available at the door or from the Ticketlab website.
