A former Gloucestershire cricket player who played five test matches for England is being supported by a group of Bristol DJs and musicians after contracting Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in June. David ‘Syd’ Lawrence, who is known by many for his cricketing career, was also a key figure in Bristol’s music scene.
This Sunday (December 8), a collection of Bristol DJs and musicians will be broadcasting a 12-hour DJ set live stream from 12pm-12am. They aim to use the livestream to boost their crowdfunding campaign they have set up to support his care and the MND association.
The livestream, which will be broadcast on Twitch TV and Mixcloud, will feature DJ Bunjy, Marc Davis, Mac 3, DJ Flyn among others. The DJs, including DJ Style who set up the gofundme page, are grateful to Mr Lawrence for opening music venues in Bristol including Dojo nightclub.
The DJ Alliance who launched the campaign stated on its crowdfunder: “Following news that David ‘Syd’ Lawrence has been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in June this year, many of us were saddened and shocked by this announcement. It also led to those of us who know Syd, to offer assistance in different ways to provide help and support with his care.
“Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is an uncommon condition that affects the brain and nerves. It causes weakness that gets worse over time. There’s no cure for MND, but there are treatments to help reduce the impact it has on a person’s daily life
“David Syd Lawrence has always been passionate about music over the decades, from a mover on the dancefloor to eventually opening venues for the nightlife scene in Bristol. When Dojo was open it offered another market to the industry; It gave birth to a number of nights, and resident events (Slosh) as well as opportunities for DJs to perform there.
“Syd’s contribution from sports to entertainment is an example of his passion and dedication to the city of Bristol he loves, where he would become president of Gloucestershire County Cricket Club. Syd was also the first British born black player to play cricket for England. All of Syd’s achievements are appreciated and recognised throughout the UK, and that’s why in a time of need, we can now come together and lend our support, whichever way we can for him.”
Speaking about Mr Lawrence, community radio station, Ujima station manager, Miranda Rae, added: “Syd is an incredible guy who has supported so many people from being a cricketer, DJ, promoter and so loved in the community so it’s such sad news he has been diagnosed with MND. He massively supported me at the start of my DJ career, often making a point of booking me as one of Bristol’s first female DJs.”
For more information and to donate to the crowdfunder click here.