20 February 2007

Charity concert in aid of Diabetes Research

(Attached pics show Michael Archibald, Paul Anderson (with fiddle) and George Donald (seated at piano)

Two of Scotland’s leading exponents of traditional music will combine forces for a major charity event at Perth Concert Hall in aid of the University of Dundee’s Diabetes Research Campaign.

Fiddle virtuoso Paul Anderson and pianist George Donald, of `Scotland the What?’ Fame, will perform at the charity concert on Saturday April 14th.

For George the cause is one close to his heart, as he is a diabetic himself.

"I’ve always wanted to raise some money to help the people who are trying to find out more about diabetes and how we can prevent it, so when I heard about the University’s campaign it seemed like the perfect opportunity to get involved,” said George, who will also be performing material based on his famed `Scotland The What?’ shows."

"I’m really looking forward to an excellent night," he added. "I’ve played several times with Paul, including a really successful tour we did in Canada last year and it is a pleasure to be linking up with him again. He really is a top-class fiddle player, and for anyone who enjoys traditional Scottish music this concert is a chance to hear some really good stuff while also making a great contribution to a brilliant cause."

Paul Anderson, who is a Research Fellow in the creative and performing arts at the Elphinstone Institute in Aberdeen, said, "I'm delighted to be teaming up with George again for what I hope will prove to be a highly successful fundraising event. I know how inconvenient being diabetic can be and have seen one of my own uncles slip into a diabetic coma, so on a personal level this is a very worthy cause."

The Diabetes Research Campaign was launched last year to raise £3million to support research into diabetes at the University of Dundee, including the establishment of state-of-the-art outpatient clinical research facilities in Angus, Perth and Dundee, enabling scientists and doctors to work together to undertake research from "the cell to the community".

In Perth this will mean new research facilities at Perth Royal Infirmary.

The campaign is chaired by Perth businessman Michael Archibald, who is also diabetic. He said the concert would provide not only a night to remember but a real boost to services for diabetics in Perth & Kinross.

"From the local point of view in Perth this is a real boost as it represents a turnaround for Perth Royal Infirmary. with new investment going into this research facility," said Mr Archibald.

"So we hope for a full house on April 14th to enjoy an evening full of great music and good fun."

Perth Provost Bob Scott, who launched the Diabetes Research Campaign in Perth last year, urged people to support the cause.

"Diabetes Research is a very worthy cause and I was happy to lend my support and help launch the campaign last year," said the Provost. "The charity concert looks set to be a very entertaining evening and I would encourage people to come along and help raise funds for this important work."

Tickets can be acquired from the Concert Hall, priced £12 (£10 concessions) and are available now.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Further information on either the Concert or on Diabetes Research can be had from the Chairman Michael.Archibald@googlemail.com or on Tel. 01738 840995 or by contacting the University of Dundee Press Office.

The Diabetes Research Campaign was launched last year with `People’s Launches' in Perth, Angus and Dundee.

The goal of the campaign is to raise £3million over two years and will support three major initiatives:

• State-of-the-art outpatient clinical research facilities in Angus, Perth and Dundee, enabling scientists and doctors to work together to undertake research from 'the cell to the community'.
• An extension of dedicated diabetes laboratories at Ninewells Hospital and Medical School which will strengthen clinical research in Perth and Angus by enabling teams to link research and patient care together.
• Clinical research equipment and recruitment of an international researcher to lead research into Type 1 diabetes, complementing much of the work already being done at the University.

Dundee has been hailed as 'a world-leading centre' for research into diabetes by Douglas Smallwood, chief executive of Diabetes UK. Diabetes UK are a major funder of diabetes research at the University, directing over 90% of its Scottish research funding to Dundee.

The Dundee Diabetes Research Centre is a joint venture between the Faculty of Life Sciences and the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing, currently hosting over 25 research teams that have a shared interest in diabetes research, ranging from the study of single molecules to complex clinical studies. Professor Dario Alessi, diabetes researcher in the MRC Protein Phosphorylation Unit at the School of Life Sciences, is Director of the Diabetes Research Centre.

The Medical School, in collaboration with NHS Tayside, hosts the £2 million development of SCI-DC, the national diabetes computing system for Scotland. The cardiovascular implications of diabetes are being explored in collaboration with The Institute of Cardiovascular Research, also based at Ninewells Hospital

For media enquiries contact:

Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk