'Never feel on your own': Pudsey uniting for a 24-hour music marathon to transform stroke survivors’ lives
When local dad Andy Mayers was left unable to speak following a debilitating stroke, his community refused to let him fight alone. Now, over 50 performers and special guest Danny Malin are staging a 24-hour music marathon at Pudsey Leisure Centre
It began with a quiet whisper across the reception desk at Pudsey Leisure Centre.
When local campaigner and performer Shane Hamill walked in for his regular workout, receptionist Shirley pulled him aside.
She wanted to talk about Andy Mayers - a gentle, smiling regular at the gym who suffered a life-altering stroke in 2022.
The stroke robbed Andy of his speech and mobility on the right side of his body, and despite intensive therapy, his language remains limited to a few words, though his determination and trademark smile have never straight-up faded.
“Shirley whispered to me, 'There's a local guy who had a stroke in 2022. He comes to the gym, and we're trying to help him,'" Shane recalls to the Yorkshire Evening Post. "A new specialised HOSS chair became available that could completely transform his mobility and independence, but it costs £20,000. Andy and his family had managed to raise £10,000 on GoFundMe, but donations had gone stale.
“Shirley said to me, 'I don't know what you'll do; I just know you'll do something because you're that kind of guy.'"
50 acts, 24 hours, one unstoppable community
Shane - who famously brought Christmas cheer to West Yorkshire care homes by singing outside their windows every day during lockdown - immediately jumped into action.
The result is JOY-A-THON: a mammoth 24-hour non-stop music festival taking over Pudsey Leisure Centre this Friday (October 23).
Over 50 performers and 30 distinct live acts - ranging from local school bands to seasoned musicians - have volunteered their time completely for free.
Joining the line-up is YouTube sensation and Yorkshire Evening Post columnist Danny Malin, who felt an immediate personal connection to Andy's battle.
"Danny was actually eating in a chippy in Las Vegas when I rang him!" Shane laughs. "Straight away, Danny told me, 'Shane, I've had two strokes myself, and I was so close to losing everything. 100% I want to come and support Andy.
“It's amazing that as a community we can come together to help someone in need.'"
For Andy and his wife Mel, seeing shop windows across Pudsey plastered with JOY-A-THON posters has provided an emotional lifeline.
"Andy is just the loveliest, gentlest guy," Shane says. "When I first met him and explained what we were doing, he just looked at me as if to say, 'Why are you doing this for me?' But as we've spent time together, he trusts me implicitly.
“All he needs to do is smile and be himself. “
“Never feel on your own”
For Shane, the overriding message behind not only the whole event, but the launch of the app Joy Just One You, is simple: never feel on your own.
"No matter what you're going through in life, there is always community and other people there to help you - you’ve just got to reach out," Shane explains. "Every single one of us is perfect at being themselves. In a world filled with noise, doom-scrolling, and negativity, Joy Just One You isn't about looking at other people or being inundated with ads.
“It’s about creating a personal space for what really matters: local community, real-life moments, and helping the people right in front of you."
Can't make it to Pudsey Leisure Centre in person from 6pm on October 23? You can still help Andy hit his £20,000 target. Head directly to Joy Just One You to donate via the homepage link, or download the Joy Just One You app on iOS and Android to support the appeal.