LONG-lost friends who reunited after over 60 years are hosting a charity get-together in Basingstoke.

The 50s and 60s-themed event is to raise money for the Rainbow cancer unit at Basingstoke hospital with hopes of raising enough funds to buy a hot drinks machine for the staff and patients.

Brian James and Richard Bone, who have helped set up the event, are raising money as a thank you to the NHS after they rekindled their friendship whilst undergoing chemotherapy in 2019.

READ MORE: School friends reunited after 60 years while receiving Leukaemia treatment

After leaving Fairfields School in the 1950s, the pair didn’t see each other again until they met on the cancer unit as they both were bravely fighting leukaemia.

Brian was told he had leukaemia at the age of 64. However, it wasn’t until nine years later, after failed treatments, that he was transferred to the Basing Cancer Unit, and was surprised to find that Richard was in the bed next to him - also receiving treatment for leukaemia.

Their passion for making music has meant they are able to use their talents to raise money for charity and give back to the people who saved their lives for a few more years.

Since then, they have begun dedicating their lives to helping others and have so far raised £1,100 for local cancer charities including Macmillan, Sue Ryder, and the children’s cancer unit in Winchester.

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Brian said: “With Covid and cancer, I have lost many school friends who I haven’t been able to say goodbye to, so it’s nice to be able to do this for them as well.”

Brian is hoping this event will be his biggest one yet as Carnival Hall is hosting “a lot of local musicians who will perform open mike jam of 60’s songs". 

With the help of Richard's drum playing skills and Brian’s singing, the pair look set to steal the show on Saturday, August 19, as Brian performs his latest song Six of the Best which is about his early school days and growing up in Basingstoke.

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His new song, along with five other tracks will be released on Saturday, September 16, which coincides with his 78th birthday.

All money raised from the sale of the tracks will be donated to the Rainbow cancer unit.

The event at Carnival Hall, in Council Road, will start at 4pm on Saturday, August 19, until 11.30pm.