Tea for Tinnitus day in memory of Gilly

DOING WHAT HE DID BEST . . . Craig with drumsticks in hand

A TEA party organised by the families of Oldham band Inspiral Carpets will raise money in memory of drummer Craig Gill.

The cake and tea party at Salford Lads' Club on Sunday from 2 until 5pm, is part of the British Tinnitus Association's 'Tea for Tinnitus' month.

Craig, from Saddleworth, had suffered from the hearing problem for years and it became more severe as he grew older and especially before his death in November.

Music

To help raise funds for research and awareness of the condition, Charlie Boon (Mrs Boon's Cakes) and Karen Lambert (Saddleworth Bakehouse) will be selling a selection of their homemade cakes.

The families of the Inspirals will be on hand to help out and Clint Boon will be providing the music.

An inquest in May into Craig's death, heard how the musician was discovered hanged in a bedroom by his wife Rose Marie Gill.

He often suffered sleep loss and sometimes had medication for insomnia and anxiety, but there were no indications that he had ever considered taking his own life.

Coroner Joanne Kearskey recorded an open verdict.

She told his family: "I sincerely hope you can take some comfort perhaps knowing that Craig was one of the most influential and inspirational musicians of his generation.

"His achievements surpassed what most other people would dream of."

Mrs Gill said: "Craig's tinnitus affected his day-to-day wellbeing and he suffered in silence.

"He felt there was no cure. Instead of reaching out, Craig made the saddest and most tragic of choices.

"Only Craig will ever know how devastating the decision was to leave our three beautiful children and the family he loved."

Craig, who was 44, also operated Manchester Music Tours and helped organise gigs at Oldham's Tokyo Project club.

Entry to the tea party will be by a minimum donation of £3 (under 5s free) but extra donations are welcome to raise as much money as possible. Salford Lads' Club has kindly offered to open up the legendary 'Smiths Room' for the afternoon.

Those attending are welcome to bring homemade cakes along in order to help raise even more funds and bags or boxes will be available to take cake home.

Tea, coffee and soft drinks will also be available to buy.

Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/inspiralsteaparty to donate.