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Steve Nelson has been performing on the Costa del Sol since 1982.
Local entertainers come together in support of popular expat musician
FUNDRAISING APPEAL

Local entertainers come together in support of popular expat musician

Friends of Steve Nelson raised over 10,000 euros in the first 30 hours of an appeal to help pay for private health care and medical assistance

Tony Bryant

Friday, 22 January 2021, 12:00

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The name Steve Nelson will probably be familiar to those involved in the entertainment and music scene on the Costa del Sol. Steve has worked with numerous artists since arriving in 1982, and now many of them have come together to support the 67-year-old musician, who has been suffering with health and financial problems.

Steve's complications began last year, when he was hospitalised with suspected jaundice. However, doctors found a growth on his pancreas which had caused intestinal problems.

He was due to have surgery earlier this month, but, after testing positive with Covid-19, his operation was cancelled.

He is now at home and requires full-time care, so friends have set up a GoFundMe page (Steve Nelson's Recovery) to raise money to help pay for private healthcare and emergency medical assistance.

As a result of his condition, Steve has been unable to work and has lost his regular income, which had already been drastically reduced due to the crisis.

The GoFundMe target was set at 10,000 euros, but this figure was exceeded in less than 30 hours. The fund currently stands at 15,000 euros, so organiser Wayne Robinson has decided to keep the appeal running.

Steve's daughter, Layla, also a popular singer on the local circuit, told SUR in English that her father has been overwhelmed with the response.

"Words cannot actually express how grateful we are to everyone. We are totally overwhelmed by all the kindness, love and support we have received during these challenging times. It's been an extremely emotional rollercoaster, but dad is a fighter and we will get through this," she said.

Steve will need continued home care before his operation and ongoing care afterwards in order to get back to work, although it could be some time before he makes a full recovery.

"We haven't been advised on the exact recovery time as it all depends on the patient, but it could be weeks or even months," Layla explained.

Steve has been an integral part of the music scene on the coast and his popularity, both on and off stage, has been endorsed by the reaction from the local music sector, which, as Layla pointed out, has been "amazing".

"This has made me realise just how much my dad is admired on the coast. We have been inundated by messages and calls from bars and fellow musicians wanting to organise events and concerts to help raise money for my father's recovery. It has been absolutely incredible," she said.

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