A Yeovil father is playing 26 gigs in one night to try to raise £10,000 for the hospital that saved his son’s life.

Musician Matthew Rock, 36, was left shattered in October when his eight-year-old son, James, was rushed to Bristol Children’s Hospital to undergo emergency bowel surgery.

James was transferred from Yeovil District Hospital for emergency treatment after being diagnosed with a life-long inflammatory bowel disease, believed to be either Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis.

After witnessing first-hand how the staff at Bristol Children’s Hospital saved his son, Mr Rock, of St John’s Road, was desperate to give something back.

He said: “When I was told that James had the life-long disease, it felt like I had been hit by a bus.

“I will never forget the moment when they said in Yeovil hospital it was some sort of inflammatory bowel disease, I could have fallen off my chair.

“It beggars belief what could have happened if the nurses at Bristol had not acted so quickly.

“I take confidence in that now his condition is being closely monitored, and it is never going to be that bad ever again.

“What I now realise is that Bristol Children’s Hospital serves the whole of the South West, including the people of Yeovil.”

In a bid to raise £10,000 for the Grand Appeal, the charity of Bristol Children’s Hospital, Mr Rock will entertain audiences throughout Yeovil.

On Saturday, May 19, the keyboard vocalist will perform 26 gigs in 26 different venues across Yeovil, all in one night.

Playing a ten-minute set in each venue, Matthew will start at The Halfway House at 5pm, and play his grand finale at the Ex Services and Social Club at 11.15pm.

Two technical crews will be on hand to set up as he makes his way to each venue.

When asked about the challenges the night will bring, Mr Rock was adamant that the thought of his son will provide all of the motivation he will need.

He said: “I will be thinking of James all the way around, and I will think back to some of the things we have seen him deal with. He will be my motivation, and he and my wife, Tracy, will be with me every step of the way.

“Matthew is a complete live-wire like any boy of eight, and now lives life to the full.

“Sometimes people complain about the NHS, but when you receive something like this and see the dedication that the staff show in their work, it just makes you realise how good they are.

“I urge everyone to get involved, you don’t have to know me or don’t need to have met me before, if you like the sound of the challenge and would like to raise some money for a great cause, then please do”

For information about Mr Rock’s fundraising challenge, or to show your support, visit www.matthewrock.co.uk.