A MUSIC enthusiast has organised a concert in memory of his mum by fundraising for Dementia Research.

Steven Heald, 60, convinced acid jazz band The Brand New Heavies, to play in Bournemouth and donate all profits to the cause.

Steven’s love for music came from his mother’s 50-year career in stage music along with her long stint in the Bournemouth Gilbert and Sullivan society.

Thelma Heald performed at shows in the former Palace Court Theatre in Bournemouth and took five-year-old Steven back stage.

(Image: Steven Heald)

“I was exposed to that sort of thing, so it was very much part of my life, sort of music and shows and all the rest of it from when I was a young boy,” said Steven.

He added: “She was a very, very good singer who in different circumstances could have been a star on the West End stage.”

However, several years before her passing, at age 86 in March 2022, Thelma was diagnosed with dementia.

He said: “The most difficult thing I had to cope with was that I knew what was going to happen, but you’d never want that to happen.

“It’s extremely difficult to see somebody that you’ve grown up with become somebody different.

“The person that was my mother, wasn’t really there at the end because she became somebody else due to the illness.”

(Image: Steven Heald)

Steven cared for and lived with his mother until the end and said: “I couldn’t save my mother, so I want to do something to help other people who’ve got dementia.”

Despite their different music tastes, Steven decided to organise a concert in Thelma’s memory.

“My mum was very much a melodic singer but my music is funky, it is rhythm based music that I love.”

After attending The Brand-New Heavies concert in London, Steven was able to speak to the band and request they visit Bournemouth.

Within a couple of days, they had agreed and the organisation began.

“I am very much looking forward to it,” said Steven.

“I just hope people can enjoy it as much as I will because I’ll enjoy every second of it.”

The concert will be hosted at the Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre on Saturday, August 10, with tickets being available via the theatre website.