A fundraising bid has been launched for a lifelong Greenford resident and organiser of Green Day's first ever UK gig who needs life saving treatment.

Lawrence Graham-Leigh was diagnosed with bile duct cancer around 18 months ago while on holiday with his wife Mimi in South Korea, before it spread to areas of his liver soon after.

The former music promoter, who organised Green Day's first ever UK gig in Euston at a venue known as The Rails in 1991, began chemotherapy after the diagnosis.

Treatment was effective in tackling the cancer in the bile duct but it has not worked effectively in shrinking the cancer in his liver.

A new treatment as part of a drugs company trial could give the 49-year-old a fighting chance, but he will need to contribute £16,000 of the total £26,000 needed.

Doctors have told the dad-of-one he stands a 20% survival chance through chemotherapy, but a 70% chance through the new treatment.

Now friends have rallied together by launching a fund raising page and have so far raised £8,852, urging others to do their bit for the "wonderful man."

'It's an absolute must'

(Left) Four-year-old Christopher with (right) four-year-old Lawrence

Close friend Julie Tweddle, who first met Mr Graham-Leigh while playing in a band at The Garage in Islington 20 years ago, said: "Lawrence is one of those rare people who really is unbelievably wonderful.

"So humble and kind - especially within the music industry. But there is an anarchy-charged punk hiding under that gently surface.

"Lawrence has one last chance to combat the cancer he has. Chemo has stopped working but the new treatment involves injecting radioactive ball bearing which stops the blood flow to the tumours and will hopefully then shrink them.

"With a 70% survival rate based on this treatment, it's an absolute must."

'An amazing dad'

Mr Graham-Leigh, who has a four-year-old son named Christopher with wife Mimi, also ran a music label called Fluffy Bunny Records which included the likes of China Drum and Gouge.

He has also run a picture framing business called Artmaster Gallery in Greenford for 30 years.

The new treatment would cost £10,000 paid for by the drug company hosting the trial, with the remaining £16,000 put towards the private health care facilities and staff needed for medical procedures.

Miss Tweddle adds of the fund raising page: "I've known Lawrence for over 20 years, to many reading this he is a wonderful, kind friend.

"To four-year-old Christopher he is the best dad in the world and to Mimi, he is her amazing husband.

"He has always been there for us and for everyone: driving us drunkards home after gigs, carrying our amps, believing in us, never bitching about anything or anyone, except politics and Damon Albarn."