A HUGE party is being planned to celebrate the life of a former DJ who enjoyed an 'extra 20 years of life' after losing part of his head during surgery.
Stuart Bennett, from Southampton, had a brain tumour the size of an egg removed in a life-saving operation in 2002.
There was no funeral for the popular former Concorde Club DJ, who passed away earlier this year, at his own request.
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So family and friends have decided to put on a celebration of his life, featuring the retro music that he loved and fundraising for the charity which gifted him an extra two decades.
Former colleague Lesley King has organised the Let's Celebrate Stu event, which will take place at The Concorde Club on Tuesday November 22 and will be attended by Stuart's sister Liz Allcock, brother Philip Allcock and a host of family, friends and former colleagues.
DJs Gary James and Rob Paston will provide the tunes at the 80s and 90s-themed event in aid of Smile4Wessex, supporting the Wessex Neurological Centre in Southampton where Stuart had his surgery.
Stuart's sister Liz Allcock told the Daily Echo: "My thoughts are about acknowledging all the help and support that Stu received over the 'extra 20 years of life' he managed to achieve against absolutely all odds."
It was 20 years ago when Stuart, then an electrician in his early 40s, started feeling tired and unwell.
After passing out and waking up in an ambulance, a scan revealed a tumour.
Operations, chemotherapy and radiotherapy left him with his left side almost paralysed and with a deep indentation in his skull.
Stuart learned to walk again and became a volunteer with Totton brain injury service Headway, which had proved such a help to him, as well as Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. He enjoyed holidays, trips to the theatre, gigs and swimming after vowing to make the most of opportunities.
Tickets for the event are priced £10 in advance or £12 on the door. Cocktail hour will get underway at 7pm followed by a raffle, auction and dancing.
Visit theconcordeclub.com
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