Legendary Elephant and Castle nightclub Ministry of Sound is hosting a huge fundraiser to help pay for the care of a DJ left paralysed and dependent on round-the-clock care after contracting COVID-19.
Renowned DJ and promoter Steve Laviniere is one half of the famous Bobby & Steve duo, best known for their KISS FM slot Garage City and label and club event Groove Odyssey.
In early March 2020 he contracted COVID-19 and initially tried to manage his symptoms at home.
By the end of the month he was quickly deteriorating and having trouble breathing, and walked into A&E after his wife, Julie, drove him to hospital.
He was quickly admitted to intensive care, put into an induced coma and spent nearly a month on a ventilator. At one point he was so unwell his organs began shutting down and he needed CPR.
Despite showing signs of improvement, doctors discovered that the illness had spread to his nervous system and caused a rare brain injury called Acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalitis (AHLE/Hurst Disease).
The impact has been devastating, leaving him unable to communicate or move his body over a year later.
Doctors have told his partner that they do not know if he will ever recover. Currently, he is living in a specialist neurological nursing home and is tube fed.
Now the industry is rallying around the DJ and hoping that ‘‘Dance for Steve’ will help raise funds for his future care and home adaptations, estimated to cost at least £80,000.
Announced this week, the event, put together by the DJ’s industry friends and colleagues, will take place on Sunday, October 3.
On the GoFundMe page, Steve’s music partner Bobby said: “There is no medicine to repair this condition, however Steve is a fighter and receiving the best care possible, so we are confident that Steve’s condition will improve in time.
“When the time is right, we know Steve will benefit from being at home with Julie and all our family surrounding him with love, the greatest medicine of all.
“We are planning for the future, and to put this in place the family home will need major home adaptations, so we will be extremely grateful for any donations to fund the renovation, and go towards Steve’s future care and rehabilitation.
“We thank you for your prayers, kindness, generosity, love and positive energy. The Laviniere and Groove Odyssey family
The all-day lineup consists of artists who have worked with Bobby & Steve throughout their careers and are all close friends including David Morales; Dave Lee; Simon Dunmore; Norman Jay MBE; Terry Hunters; Barbara Tucker and Trevor Nelson.
Simon Dunmore said: “The love and respect of family and friends is hard earned.
“For over 30 years Steve has promoted good times, great music, supported and been at the forefront of a great London scene, created communities, bringing people together, made them dance, made them smile.
“As a father, as a DJ, as an entrepreneur, as a man, I feel and see nothing but respect and love for Steve.”
For tickets visit: www.skiddle.com/whats-on/London/Ministry-Of-Sound/Dance-For-Stevie
Donate via https://www.gofundme.com/f/steves-covid-brain-injury-story