Gig to toast feat, fundraise for causes

Nick Lynch, of Arrowtown - a member of popular band the Lynch Mob - called a ''family meeting'' in July to tell them of his plans to jump on the wagon until Christmas.

His primary reason was to help rehabilitate a shoulder injury, which had prevented him playing sport for the past three years.

''I just kept getting drunk and hurting my shoulder.

''That was my main motivation, to fix myself to play sport again.

''Actually, [not drinking] has been one of the easiest things I've ever done.

''I said to someone the other day there have been a couple of times ... when I wanted to drink ... but it's been pretty easy - I've always had something to do.''

One of those thing was writing some original music with Tom Maxwell, some of which was performed at a recent gig at Laneway in Arrowtown.

His shoulder had also improved, enabling him to play cricket and opening up the possibility of a return to the Arrowtown Bulls rugby team next season.

However, one of his other aims over the past five months was to raise money for the Cancer Society, in memory of his father, Kevin Lynch, who died in November 2008 from prostate cancer.

The process was not as simple as initially hoped, which led the family band to work on pulling together other musicians for a special fundraising concert.

''The old man was the thought behind it ... so we ended up saying 'What are the things that have supported us?''

Most of his time was spent at the Arrowtown rugby and golf clubs and both were in need of some financial aid, he said.

However, the Lynch Mob still wanted to help raise money for cancer causes and when Mr Lynch's sister, Emma Pullar, heard the tragic story of 12-week-old Sydney Boden, the decision was made to split the proceeds from the December 21 concert three ways.

Sydney was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a cancer of the abdomen, which has spread to her spinal column.

The Sydney Boden Trust was set up by friends to help the Boden family with their daughter's treatment and travel costs, to keep the family together as much as possible.

The Lynch Mob and Friends concert will also showcase Arrowtown's newest band, which comprises former Exponents bass player Dave Gent, along with Charlotte Graf, Leanne Malcolm, Matt Antony and Andrew Turner.

Tickets for the concert cost $30 and are available from Laneway.

Donations will be accepted on the night, but can also be made by emailing emma@thelynchmob.