Corrs pay tribute to mother's carers

Despite the sad circumstances behind their North-East concert, the band wanted the night to be a "celebration".

The concert was held at Newcastle Telewest Arena in tribute to the doctors and nurses who treated the Corrs' mother, Jean, at Newcastle's Freeman Hospital in the traumatic weeks before her death.

The fundraising concert was incredibly emotional, but there was all the fun, all the singing and dancing you could want as well.

Which is just the way that Mrs Corr, who died aged 57 while awaiting a lung transplant in November 1999, would have wanted it, according to husband, Gerry, and his singer daughter, Andrea.

"This is a celebration," said Andrea. "It's a celebration entirely to help other people. What we have gone through is what lots of other people have gone through as well. And we know that, concert-wise, music is an escape, and it helps people know they are not alone in their problems."

It was a sentiment that was echoed by Gerry, who said that Jean was brought to Newcastle by the family from her home in Dundalk, County Louth, in Ireland.

Gerry and the family said a few words about the kindness of the staff at the Freeman and the people of the North-East, although Gerry still had time for a jokey dig about Newcastle United Football Club.

That humour and joy came through at the gig itself.

It took the man who treated Jean in her final days of the rare lung disease crypotegenic fibrosing alveolitis to be truly serious.

For Professor Paul Corris knew what the £100,000 minimum raised by the concert to extend lung research facilities at the Freeman will mean.

"When I wrote to the family I didn't expect any response like this," he said. "But I'm not surprised. Even though I've known this family for just a short time, I think they are splendid people."

The band launched into their hits with trademark high energy and enthusiasm.

Frontwoman Andrea said: "Tonight is not sad night, tonight is a celebration.