Ronnie Morris, best known in the Canadian music scene as the bass player for controller.controller and Lioness, is the focus of fundraising efforts from friends and family over the next two months. There are two benefits planned to help raise money for the Ronnie Morris Recovery Fund.
The Ronnie Morris Recovery Fund was set up by friends in May 2015 after Morris suffered a massive stroke from a double-arterial dissection. After complications during emergency neural surgery, Morris underwent a life saving surgery at the Trillium Health Centre in Etobicoke, Canada.
On Thursday, October 8 at Lee’s Palace, Ronnie’s friends in the music community are coming together for a benefit concert. “Do It For Ronnie” will feature performances from Ronnie’s former roommate Dave Monks of Tokyo Police Club who will play a solo set, Toronto noise-punks METZ and krautrock masters Fresh Snow collaborate as “FrETZ”, V ∆ N E S S ∆ of Lioness will treat us to her new dance/pop solo project, The Flowers of Hell will perform excerpts from their latest space symphony and members ofcontroller.controller, Uncut and the Two Koreas are planning an all-star jam.
“Ronnie’s much more than a bassist; he brings a creative force to things and gels musicians together socially,” said Greg Jarvis from The Flowers of Hell. “He’s the sort of precariously employed creative type that makes Toronto’s culture what it is – but sadly he and too many like him slip through the cracks of the system and need help from friends in such times of need.”
Nirmala Basnayake, controller.controller bandmate, adds, “Raising awareness about the risk of stroke to people in the underfunded 20-64 age bracket is important to all of us, and we are working to bring more attention to that issue, but the heart of this fundraiser is Ronnie. He’s our brother and our friend and a talented musician who is missed in the Toronto scene. We love him and want him to return to making music. This fundraiser will help him get there.”
Tickets are $25 and are available online viahttp://www.leespalace.com/event/959795 and at Rotate This & Soundscapes.
In addition to the October 8 benefit, friends from the Scottish and Irish communities in Brampton have planned a fundraiser this Saturday, September 19, at the South Fletcher Sportplex in Brampton. The event gets underway at 7 p.m and features CHIN radio host and Irish singer/comedian Hugo Straney, various DJs and music by The Worts (featuring Colwyn Llewellyn-Thomas of controller.controller).
Ronnie returned to his family home in July and continues to improve daily, however, Ontario’s health care system (OHIP) limits post-stroke care for victims between the age of 20-64. At 37 years old, Ronnie is left to cover months and potentially years of rehabilitation costs, including equipment, physiotherapy and medication. To date, the Ronnie Morris Recovery Fund has raised over $45,000, which will help to cover rehabilitation costs, estimated at $200,000.
“We, Ronnie’s family, are so thankful for the support given to Ronnie by his friends, family and rehabilitation specialists and thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts,” says Ronnie’s mother, Rosemary. “We are most grateful that our son, our miracle, is here to witness for himself just how much he is loved and how many people’s lives he has touched.”
For more information on how to donate and for updates on Ronnie’s recovery, please visit: www.ronniemorrisrecovery.com.
Please visit www.heartandstroke.ca to learn how to recognize the signs of a stroke.
