Lewis was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma in 2008, at the age of 3. Since then the Mighty family have been raising money for Lewis to have ground breaking treatment in the United States.

The target was £300,000 and as I write this, the money raised stands at £242,000. The very thought that money, a piece of paper, should be the difference between life and death, should sicken every one of us to our very core.

The Lewis Mighty Fund (http://www.lewismightyfund.org.uk) is incredibly close to many peoples hearts, including my own. People all over the Country attempting incredible feats to raise money for Lewis. BBC’s ‘Secret Millionaire’ even featured Lewis’s illness.

Despite all the pain and anguish, Lewis, and his Mum and Dad, never complained. They just kept on going, and kept on ploughing through. Lewis, Perry, and Jaime are a true inspiration to all of us.

I had the pleasure of hanging out with Perry a couple of times, and he even came to support me at one of my shows in Derby. He really is a top bloke and for someone like him to be suffering like this is heart breaking.

Lewis was symptom free for 2 years and all of us genuinely thought the little star had defeated this horrendous disease. But on May 12th is was reported that Lewis had taken a turn for the worst, and the Cancer had returned.

Since then the entire City of Derby came together in support of Lewis. Hundreds turned out to candlelight vigils, and thousands sent messages of support.

On Monday night we launched an attempt to get #prayforlewismighty trending Worldwide on twitter. Several locals and friends across the Country bombarded the site with messages of support.

With massive stars from the World of music, Football, and film, joining in,  #prayforlewismighty did in fact become the number one trend across the entire planet. A fitting tribute to an inspirational little boy, that has touched the hearts of all of us.

When I woke up this morning and heard the news, I, like everyone was truly devastated. As I write this, I am laying in bed with tears streaming down my face. But if a 7 year old boy can show such incredible courage, then so should we. As much as we mourn his passing, we should be celebrating what he achieved in a mere 7 years.

And more than celebrating his life, we should learn from it. If every single one of us wakes up every morning with the sole intention of being ‘more like Lewis Mighty’, then I really don’t see how we can go too far wrong.

In my eyes Lewis Mighty will always be a reason to be a better person. And I truly hope that Lewis passing will raise awareness of Neuroblastoma and therefore, save many other Children’s lives in the future.

In the past, I have completed two charity fundraising attempts for Lewis Mighty. (Videos at the bottom) But next year, when my leg is healed, myself and my friend Steve, will be attempting the biggest one yet.

Neuroblastoma is not well known enough, and awareness should be raised to this disease. I admit, before I came across Lewis Mighty, I had never heard of the disease either.

Next summer we’re swimming from the Isle of Wight to mainland England, walking the 191 miles to Derby, and then cycling on to Glasgow.

With every mental wall we hit, or pain barrier we are struggling with, one amazing little boy will push us through. A 7 year old boy with the heart of a Lion.

RIP Lewis Mighty, you are one special soul.

xxx

Next week I am down in Surrey to record a couple of acoustic tracks. It’s part of a friends project, so I’ll get to try some new stuff out.

Obviously I’ve just finished the album so it seems like poor timing for a spot of free recording. I would say that’s ‘Ironic’ but thanks to Alanis Morrisette, we all know it’s not ironic at all.

I’m going to record a couple of acoustic tracks, ‘This Ones Love’ & ‘Nothing lasts forever’. I’ll use them as B sides for the next two singles. Whatever they may be!

I’m back on the Isle of Wight next week for a couple of shows. When I left last week, I didn’t get to say a lot of good byes. Hopefully we’ll be able to have a few jars at the shows next week.

Monday 21st – Quay Arts Centre, Newport – 8pm.

Thursday 24th – Wight Rock Bar, Ryde – 9:30pm.

Tell your friends! Then kiss them. With tongues. While naked. Covered in peanut butter.

I have a head ache. x

This is my first blog update from my new home. Not that that’s a particularly big achievement. They do have electricity, wifi and laptops up here, so it’s really just as simple as before.

I am up in Derby now, so hopefully, once my leg is healed, it will be a lot easier to tour. I have the whole Country pretty much on the doorstep, with no need for boats and crap.

The leg is healing ok and I’ve managed to spend a fair bit of time in the gym. I’m basically just swimming as I can’t do much else at all. But still, it gets me out the house and keeps me sane(ish).

Tonight is the first G and Tippers Show since I have moved. It’ll be a bit of a bodge job at first until we get to grips with the new set up. Mind you, it’s the bodge job part that listeners seem to like!

This weeks themes are as follows…

Ultimate dinner party? You’re allowed 6 guests. 3 alive, and 3 dead. Who would they be? And why?

Best/worst image you ever had? We all had a dodgy image when we were younger. Let us know what your worst one was, or indeed, what was  the one that made you look ‘swell’?

Tweet us @gandtippers and let us know!

See you at 7pm www.vectisradio.com.

x

Last night I got sent the mixes of the album. We’re getting together on Sunday for a few final tweaks. They are really minor though as I think it sounds great. I’m really happy with it.

For any of you that know me, me being happy with anything is a major achievement.

After Sunday, the tracks go to be mastered, and that’s it. Album complete.

Now I have to actually work out an order. I might just write the track names on a ball and draw them out like an FA Cup draw. That’s got to be easier right?

In other news, my cast is off my leg. 6 weeks ahead of schedule. I am still a month away from putting full weight on my leg, but this means I can swim and crutch around a bit more.

I was allowed 10kg of weight last week, 20kg this week and so on. Only problem is, I’m old school, I don’t know what 10kg is!!!

Still I managed 60 lengths in the pool yesterday so I’m happy with that. Another 60 today and then the weekend off. I’ve earned it right? I think so.

x

Sorry I’ve been a bit of an absentee in the last couple of weeks. I’m still recovering from my injury at home at the moment. I’m getting better at getting around though. I still can’t walk so I’m either in a wheel chair, or on crutches.

Here is a couple of reminders why.

I’ll have triceps like Geoff Capes by the time I’mm off the crutches. You don’t know who Geoff Capes is? You should. It’s what google is there for.

I’m off the heavy painkillers now so I’m beginning to function a lot better. That stuff masks the pain but sends you into orbit. I’m happy to be a little bit closer to Earth now.

Alongside the music, I am actually training to be a Personal Trainer. I know it’s not particularly rock and roll, but we all have to pay the bills. These days, 98% of music is stolen. That only leaves a few little crumbs for us poor musicians to scrap for. I need a regular wage like everyone else.

I am doing quite well in my training and have flown through the first few exams. I was marked at 485 out of 500. Round of applause?  Problem is because I can’t walk, I can’t do my practical exams. Hopefully it won’t be too long.

I’ve also been setting up a few things for when I am up and about. Obviously I can’t tour yet, and I am also waiting on my album to be mastered. But once I’m walking, and it’s done, I’m on the road again. I can’t wait.

I don’t have secure dates yet but there will be plenty of shows across the UK, Europe and hopefully, further afield. There should be a few Festivals in there too.

As soon as I have contracts signed, I’ll let you know the dates.

The album, A Brand New Battle, is being mixed and mastered at the moment. I was sent a mix of Beat Up today. It sounds awesome. I’m very excited.

The first single off the album is available now. You can download Remember Who You Are by clicking here.

The video for the track is creeping towards the 50,000 mark on youtube. Thanks a lot for your support. It really is appreciated.

x

Unfortunately tonights show is off. Some problems with the venue.

If you had planned to come, sorry for any hassle. It was out of my hands.

Have a great weekend. x

Today the talented fellow that is Guy Page sent me another two mixed tracks from the album.

‘Paint the town red’ and ‘Jenny’ both sound awesome. There has been the odd tweak here and there but they pretty much sounded perfect first time. I really would recommend Guy and Claydon at Studio 5a to anyone. Check out their website at www.isleofwightrecording.co.uk.

So far, Remember who you are (click to buy), A brand new battle, Satellites & wires, Jenny & Paint the town red, have all been sorted. That leaves another 7 to go and the album is done. Yay!

That was camp.

Maybe this guy is right about me? “Is Gareth Icke gay?”

If you’d like to witness an apparent homosexual performing live, come down to the Wight Rock Bar, Ryde, Isle of Wight, England about 8:30 on Saturday night. Since I can’t actually do much while I’m laid up like a lame horse, little opening support slots are a great excuse to get out the house.

The leg is mending by the way. Only another NINE weeks of plaster to go. It’s been 6 weeks since that fateful day, when my leg was blowing around like an American flag in a soft breeze. It actually feels like a lifetime ago.

That person that stepped out onto that football pitch at the end of February, was certainly not me. In life, challenges change people. That challenge has certainly altered who I am. Maybe that’s why it happened. To put me on the path I was meant to be on?

Would have been nicer if they’d found a less painful challenge huh?

I should sleep. Night all. x

An MP3 download of the single is available now.

The track is available Worldwide from all the major download sites. Simply search my name in whatever site you prefer using.

Or, just click the single cover below to download from Amazon.

Thanks for your support people.

Much love. x

Hey all,

I’m back in the studio this Thursday after a month away with a broken leg. It’s still broken obviously, but now it’s full of metal, I’m ok to get into the studio.

We’ve got a few new features including a brand new phone prank called ‘the interrupting Spaniard’. All will be explained on air, but he probably looks a bit like this guy.

This weeks themes are…

What is your favourite sports team, and why? Every one has a favourite team. Whether it be football, Ice hockey, Rugby or Curling. Do they have Curling teams? Probably in New Foundland or somewhere like that.

Why do you support them? Did you live near the stadium? Do your family follow them? Or did you support the rivals of your ex’s team, just to piss them off?

If you won the lottery, what’s the first thing you’d buy? Would it be a massive, outlandish purchase like a Ferrari? Or would it be a pack of gum to freshen the breath before telling the Mrs it’s over?

What is your wedding first dance song? If you’re married, what did you have as your first dance? If you’re not, what do you want? If you’re a guy, accept that you’ll never have the one you want. After all, it’s ‘her day’. But if, in a magical World, relationships were actually equal, what song would you like?

Tweet us and let us know!

This Thursday on Vectis Radio from 7pm.

Tune in. x

The single, Remember who you are, it currently being played on Kerrang radio. You can listen in the Midlands on 105.2 fm or across the UK on DAB and Freeview TV channel 722. If you want to listen Worldwide, just click on to radioplayer.kerrangradio.co.uk.

You can request the tune by tweeting here.

The single is nearly ready for release. We’re just finalising the artwork but it should be available for download, Worldwide, by the end of the week.

I’ll let you know as soon as it’s available.

Until then, check out the video. It’s nearly up to 34,000 hits. Thanks a lot!

xxx