KEIGHLEY rock band Wolf 359 will headline a gig for World Rocks Against Dementia day.

The band’s performance at Central Hall in Alice Street will follow two performances of a highly-acclaimed stage play focusing on the effects of dementia.

Community group Dementia Friendly Keighley are hosting the event on Saturday.

Brian Daniels’s play Don’t Leave Me Now will be performed at 2pm and 4.30pm, then ‘young, vibrant rock band’ Wolf 359 will perform two sets from 8.30pm.

Wolf 359 consists of lead singer Zoey Phoenix, drummer Patch Kelly, bass guitarist Josh Tilsley, violinist Pixie Silvester and guitarists Oscar Manthorpe and Mark Harris.

They came together three years ago to perform original songs and covers after playing at the Cricketers Arms’ jam nights in Keighley.

They have since appeared many times at the Exchange Arts Centre, building their fan base, and performed to an ecstatic crowd at the town’s Fresh Aire Festival last summer.

Wolf 359 drummer, Patch, said: “Having watched my grandma live with vascular dementia for ten years and witness the impact it had, not just on her, but my entire family, I know Dementia Friendly Keighley’s support will make a huge difference to people’s lives.”

New End Theatre Beyond will present Don’t Leave Me Now as a ‘dramatised script-in-hand reading’ that explores with humour and insight the impact of early-onset dementia on family life and asks where love ends and duty begins.

The play was inspired by the true story of Professor Rachael Dixey, who nursed her partner, Irene, through early onset dementia for ten years.

In the same Yorkshire care home where Irene lived, another resident, Chris Toulman, was visited by his wife, Cindy, every day for the last seven years of his life.

Dementia Friendly Keighley spokesman, Maggie Marsden, said: “It brilliantly explores so much of what it feels like to be living with dementia and can provide invaluable insight for professionals, carers and those with the illness. We want as many people as possible to come and experience this amazing piece of theatre.”

World Rocks Against Dementia grew out of the global Purple Angel Dementia Campaign, which was started by Devon man Norman McNamara after he was diagnosed with dementia at the age of 50.

The campaign has now become established in more than 45 countries and has in excess of 550 Global Purple Angel dementia ambassadors signed up.

Tickets for the Wolf 359 gig are £3 on the door. Entry is free for the play, and each performance will be followed by a post-performance discussion.