August 14 2007

A PERTH nightclub is set to host a marathon fund-raising tribute to a popular musician who died in a water accident last year.

The Bliss and Envy venue on Canal Street will play host to the second Motionfest, to raise awarenes of the recently-formed Safe-Tay charity, on September 1.

The cream of the Fair City's rock bands as well as acts from Aberdeen and Dundee will take part in the event, which has been organised in memory of the late drummer Graham Motion, from Abernethy.

August 14 2007

Graham (20), who was a member of the Perth band Allergo, drowned as the result of an accident at the River Tay near his home town centre last year.

Dedicated to promoting water safety and preventing future tragedies, the Safe-Tay voluntary group was launched earlier this summer by Graham's sister Lisa Stewart.

The clerical assistant with Perth and Kinross Council said this year's Motionfest came about as the result of her close working relationship with numerous services and organisations in Perth.

"It was through my charity work with Dave Ryan, who is the owner of Bliss and Envy and chairman of Perth Pubwatch, and Ian Campbell of the Safer City Centre programme, that a location for this year's event was discussed," said Lisa (33).

"We were delighted to accept Dave's offer of donating the venue free of charge, and he has very generously offered to donate all ticket sales to Safe-Tay.

"All my brother's friends, including Tom Mitchell and Chris Potter, and others from the local musical community took part in organising Motionfest last year and we are leaving it to them again this time.

"The venue has some great significance because it was where Allergo played their second-ever gig back in 2002."

Graham was a former pupil of Kinnoull and Abernethy primary schools and Perth High School. He had a short stint at Perth College studying music before taking up a full-time job in a Perth toy shop.

Bands already confirmed to take part in Motionfest include Departures, Friday Night Gunfight, Emersion, Violent Response, Offside, Mesa Verde, By My Hands and The Fightback, with more to be added.

"The event will include some of Scotland's best talents, all of whom knew Graham personally," added Lisa.

In its short existence so far, Safe-Tay has already developed many initiatives with help from Tayside Fire and Rescue's comunity fire safety support officer David Black.

The latest is a poster and beer mat campaign highlighting drinking and drowning which was designed by teenagers at Perth's Youth Enquiry Service.

To raise funds for future projects and the installation of an electroncally-alarmed lifebelt linked to CCTV, September 1 will also see firefighters holding a car wash at Perth Station from 10am to 3pm.

Motionfest will run at Bliss and Envy from 1pm until 2.30 the following morning.

Tickets priced £4 will be on sale during a special open day being held at the venue on August 25 from noon until 3pm.