The DJ father of a Broughty Ferry youngster who starred on BBC’s Children in Need hopes to spin reggae tracks into cash for charity.
Ally Jefferson’s 13-year-old son Benny was diagnosed with a rare from of leukaemia last spring but is now in remission and half way through treatment.
With the help of a friend, he hopes to begin hosting charity DJ sets playing alternative music such as vintage ska, funk, dub, and reggae to raise money for Tayside Children with Cancer and Leukemia (TCCL).
Benny’s story was shared to the nation in November last year when camera crews followed him as he took the helm of the boat Missel Thrush on the River Tay.
The trip was organised by Taymara as part of its Time for Life! project which offers a seagoing experience to children with life-threatening conditions such as cancer.
The first DJ gig, a collaboration between Ally and Law Brewing Co, run by Danny Cullen, will be held at Dundee’s Wine Press on Hogmanay.
The pair recently created the group Law Sound System and played a not-for-profit set at Carribean Carnival at Dundee University Students’ Association (DUSA) in September.
The pair hope the gigs will also raise awareness for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, which Benny was diagnosed with in May 2017 and which affects around 650 people in the UK each year.
Civil servant Ally said: “DJing is very much a hobby. I don’t play vinyls but that’s not through choice really — collecting them at my age now just isn’t feasible.
“A lot of people do sponsored runs and cycles. I’m 15 stone so that’s just not really by thing.
“Everything the charity has done for Benny and us has just been incredible. We’ve had so much support.
“The oncology ward at Ninewells Hospital is amazing too. We just want to do anything we can do to help others who may end up in a similar position.
“Ultimately we just want to have a good time while raising some money and awareness.
“Every penny will go to TCCL.”
Benny was initially told he had tonsillitis and prescribed penicillin after being sent home from school suffering from a fever and sore throat.
However days later he suddenly developed a rash with further tests revealing the shock news he had the rare condition.
Ally has described Benny’s courage since his diagnosis as “absolutely phenomenal”.
He said that Benny, who turned 13 on Wednesday, is now winning his battle but that the family are cautiously taking things “a day at a time.”
Ally added: “He’s doing so much better now.
“He attends school regularly and is going in the right direction.
“We of course still live in fear that something could change but we just have to be positive.
“He has another year and a half left of treatment but he has been so brave.”
To find out more about booking a charity gig with Law Sound System, email Danny Cullan at cullen261@btinternet.com.
