On Saturday 6 September, hundreds of people will come together at The Drill in Lincoln for ‘CroftFest’, a music festival to celebrate the life of Ben Croft – a music fan, lover of Japanese culture, and friend who made a lasting impact on everyone who knew him. Event organiser Scott Cooper explains why he wanted to create a music festival in his best friend’s memory.
“Music was our thing, and I know he’d love this”
Ben was my best friend and music was our thing
We met at Lincoln College when we were both 16 and studying on the same music performance course. It turned out we went to the same primary school, but we didn’t know each other back then.
We played in the same band at college and spent a lot of time together, hanging out, going to gigs. Ben was incredibly kind and self-depreciating, with a dry sense of humour, and he was one of the most intelligent people I’ve ever met.
Ben lived with a muscle wasting condition and was in a wheelchair from the age of eight or nine. But he never let it stop him doing what he loved. After college, we continued to play in a band, and he moved into music production.
When he died at the end of last year, aged 32, I knew that I wanted to do something to honour him and celebrate his life. He was passionate about music, something he shared with me and his whole family, so putting on a music festival in his memory seemed like the most obvious thing to do.
“I wanted to bring together everything Ben loved and combine that with raising money for an important cause so that we can make a real difference.”
I’m hoping to raise £10,000 and make it an annual event – a legacy for Ben
When I came up with the idea of CroftFest, I decided to use it as an opportunity to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy UK. There will be live music from metal and punk bands, including a headline performance from alt-metal band Defences who have toured across the UK and appeared at Download Festival, as well as local stalls, food, merchandise and prizes.
Along with music and gaming, Ben loved Japanese culture, and we visited Japan together in 2017. I’m delighted that the restaurant chain wagamama, which is inspired by Japanese ramen bars, agreed to support the event as it feels like a real nod to that part of Ben’s life.
It’s important to me that, in addition to raising money, this event also helps to increase awareness as not a lot of people know about muscular dystrophy.
“I’m hoping that CroftFest will bring together 500 people to celebrate Ben’s life and raise money to help Muscular Dystrophy UK fund vital research and support others living with a muscle wasting condition.”
It means a lot to me that Ben’s family will be there on the day and are supportive of me doing this in his memory. I think he’d be proud and gutted that he’s not here to be part of it. It’s the type of event I know he’d love and it’s an honour to do this for him.
Support CroftFest
Tickets for CroftFest in Lincoln on 6 September cost £27.50pp including booking fee and profits will help fund research and support for individuals living with muscle wasting conditions.
Inspired by Scott & Ben's story?
There are so many ways you can fundraise for people living with a muscle wasting or weakening condition. No idea is too big or too small.
