Gig raises £1,000 after hospital neuro team gives Sheffield man the Grin Factor

Sue Winger organised the night of music at The Philadelphia Club in Upperthorpe as a thank you to staff on the neurocare unit at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital.

Sue's husband Paul McCullie, known as 'Mac', has twice undergone brain surgery there after developing an aneurysm in March last year.

Much to Sue's delight 65-year-old Mac is recovering well. So to show her appreciation for the team's hard work, she got local band Grin Factor to perform for 150 special guests.

The sell-out event has so far raised more than £1,000 through ticket sales, raffles and extra donations.

Sue, 58, of Tofts Lane, Rivelin, said: "If it wasn't for the skill of the surgeons at the hospital, Mac quite possibly wouldn't be here.

"He's come through it fairly unscathed. Compared to what can happen he's done pretty good."

The decision to hold the gig was an easy one. Sue is the grandmother of Jasmyn Chan, who was killed in a hit-and-run in Normanton Hill, Intake, in May 2014, and organised fundraising events after her death, so is aware of the benefit they can bring.

She said: "As soon as the surgery happened and Mac's life was saved and I knew he was going to be OK, it was one of the first things I said.

"We had eight bands playing to raise money for Jasmyn's charities and I thought I would do another one."

Sue said the sold out gig was 'brilliant', and thanked all those who came and the band for playing.

Grin Factor singer Pete Dungworth said: "Sue and Mac regularly come to Grin Factor gigs and have been a great support to the band.

"Therefore, when Sue asked us to do a 'freebie' to support neurocare, a cause close to her heart, we had no hesitation."

He added: "It's been great to have been involved with this."

Donations are still welcome at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Sue-Winger1.