In the summer of 2017 I was eagerly working on my third studio album The Nature Of Solitude. The sun was hot and everything was going well. As the summer began to merge into autumn a black cloud enveloped my whole family.

In August, shortly before I released my album, my mum was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, one of the hardest of the cancers to treat. The news devastated us all and to make matters worse we were told that an operation was not possible. The only option available was a very aggressive form of chemotherapy which would leave my mum very ill most of the time.

Since the summer and throughout the autumn and winter it has been an intense and emotional time for us all and in particular for my mum who has had to endure endless pain and suffering.

After her first chemotherapy session my mums husband suddenly died and what was already a terrible situation was made worse by the sudden loss of such a great man.

I live 150 miles away from my family but have made frequent trips home to help where I can. On a recent trip to be with my mum during her 6 hour chemotherapy session I suggested the idea of releasing an album to raise awareness for pancreatic cancer as it seems so unfairly overlooked compared to others.

I had been sketching ideas since the news first came (composing being my form of therapy and release) and have now written enough material to form a new album for piano, string quartet, guitar and female voice.

The album will have stylistic similarities to my debut album Chasing Time but augmented with a larger ensemble and some electronic elements.

My aim is to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer and of course for my mum to hear the album that I have dedicated to her and her late husband Chester.

The total needed to pay studio and musician costs is £750 and as this is a non profit album any extra money made above my target will go to pancreatic cancer research.

Everybody receives a copy of the album to say thanks either digitally or as a CD (£10 minimum).

I am lucky to have some great musicians on board including Angharad Morgan (Willows Song - Rob Reed), the great Les Penning (Mike Oldfield/Rob Reed) as well as returning players from the Bryden String Quartet and guitarist Justin Towell.

Please dig deep and pledge as this will help many others suffering from this awful disease. In return you will get a copy of the album based on the pledge tiers outlined on this page.

To take a listen to my previous albums and get a flavour of my music then head over to my website:

www.ryanyardmusic.com