K Fest set to rock Lowestoft pier

Kay performing live. (Image: Archant)

For the ninth consecutive year, K Fest will see a selection of the region's finest bands performing in memory of local musician Karen Sturgess.

Ms Sturgess, known as Kay, organised and performed at the first festival in May 2008, raising £2,000 for the Big C Appeal, before losing her battle with breast cancer the following month aged 39.

Her final wishes were for her family to continue the festival each year to raise money for the Louise Hamilton Centre and Sandra Chapman Centre, both located at James Paget University Hospital.

Ms Sturgess' sister, Clare Chenery-Down, said: 'It will be 12 hours of continuous music from local bands providing a fun and fantastic day.

K Festival 2017 (Image: Archant)

'We welcome everybody and there will be a real feel good factor throughout the day. All we ask is that people put donations in the box.'

Organised by Clare Chenery-Down, Roy Down (Clare and Kay's father) and friend Linzi Moore, the free festival takes place at the Aquarium, Claremont Pier, on May 29 from midday to midnight.

The event will feature many bands such as Scream Serenity, JANiFOUR, Six Degrees of Separation, Georgia Falls and Alive - a local band featuring Kay's friends and family.

Sadly, the Down family experienced further loss with the passing of Ms Sturgess' mother Linda Down, aged 67, in October 2015, after suffering from leukaemia and the loss of Bradley Chenery, Clare's husband, at the age of 44 in December last year.

However, Ms Chenery-Down explains the family remain strong and even more determined to donate to charities that help people with such cruel diseases every day.

Extra funds will also be raised on the day by family friend Zak Mattin having his beard removed by Clare on the main stage; to donate to this cause visit www.gofundme.com/26nh4kb8.

For further information about the event visit www.facebook.com and search for K-Fest 2016.