By Eleanor Davies
The famous Beatles song claims ‘you get by with a little help from your friends’ and no words could be truer for David Robins and his friend Dave Wells.
The pair met 26 years ago when they both went to the Thalian Theatre Group and they have been friends ever since through their mutual love of music.
Dave’s passion for music led him to becoming a musician, singer and songwriter, with a long list of his own creative music that he couldn’t wait to play to the crowds.
However in January 2008 Dave’s dreams of performing his music were crushed when he was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks the upper and lower motor neurones.
Since then life has changed dramatically for 46-year-old Dave, who now needs assistance doing most everyday tasks like eating and getting ready, and can no longer perform the music he loved.
“The lead-up to Dave’s diagnosis we knew something wasn’t right and we just kept hoping it wasn’t terminal and could be cured with tablets or something,” his friend, David Robins, tells me. “We met every week for a beer and one day we all met up and Dave confirmed he had it.
“It wasn’t until the next day that it hit me, a song came on the radio and I just burst into tears.”
In the two years since Dave’s initial diagnosis David, 49, has remained a strong support for his friend but has often wondered what he could really do to help.
“I told him that whatever happens I’m still there for him and our friendship will stay the same no matter what,” says David, who lives in Leigh-on-Sea. “I wanted to do something for my mate, I couldn’t cure him and felt helpless.”
But a conversation they’d had before Dave’s illness provided him with the answer and this month David will be performing a gig in honour of his friend, and to raise funds for Fair Havens Hospice, where Dave is a day care patient and also goes for much needed respite care.
“Just before the disease struck I asked him what he intended to do next career wise and he said he wanted to get a band together and get back to writing his stuff. It was that conversation that gave me the idea for this gig,” explains David.
“I didn’t know if Dave would go for the idea of me playing his music but I asked him and he said ‘great’, that’s why the show’s called ‘Better Late Than Never’.”
The special performance will be at Club Riga, Southend, on Thursday 22 July and will feature David singing Dave’s music and the band Kryptonites.
“I hope everyone gets the sense of celebration and as a result we can raise money for Fair Havens, but it’s mainly for Dave,” he says.
“If anybody wants to come along and listen to some good music then please do, his music deserves a wider audience.”
Tickets are £7.50 and all proceeds go to Fair Havens Hospice.
For tickets, call David on 07712 871507, email davidrobins@interpersonnel.co.uk or visit www.betterl8thannever.co.uk.