The 'Swab for Sykes' campaign will be heading to the Bolsover Festival of Brass this weekend.

Kevin Holdgate and a team of volunteers will spend the day at the event looking to add to the fantastic list of people who have already volunteered to be tested to see if they can help 'Delete Blood Cancer'.

Over 1,000 brass band players and supporters have given swab samples in what Kevin describes as a fantastic atmosphere of love and determination to find what he describes as 'The Golden Ticket' — not just to help the popular trombone player but to also help save countless more lives.

Numbers game

He told 4BR: "It is still a numbers game. The more people that are tested the more chance there is of finding a match for Stephen and thousands of others.

We've been amazed at the reaction so far to this campaign and wish to thank those people who took time out to come along and see us at the various area contests earlier this year. The campaign is set to continue for as long it takes."

The fund raising campaign to enable the purchase of life saving drugs has raised over £110,000 so far, but more is needed.

The fund raising campaign to enable the purchase of life saving drugs has raised over £110,000 so far, but more is needed4BR

Another chapter

Kevin added: "The drugs that have improved Steven's condition cost in excess of £6,500 per month, but following several rounds of treatment he is due to have a stem cell transplant in early October. This is great news, but it is not the end of the story — just the start of another chapter.

If you haven't donated a stem cell swab yet then please come along and see us on Sunday — you could help get someone the best result from band contesting ever."