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 Not many people will have heard of Kat Ellis. For those regulars at London's legendary Intrepid Fox you might know her as one of the staff who serve your drinks. Many will also not be familiar with either Crohn's disease, or the National Association for Colitis and Crohn's disease; a charity that helps those that suffer from the condition to lead normal lives.
Tomorrow night (July 11th), Kat has organised a charity concert at the Intrepid Fox to raise awareness for the charity and the disease itself - a disease which Kat knows all about, being a sufferer herself. She's drafted in a host of London's top rock DJ's to join a lineup featuring top London based bands Junktion XIII, No Direction and King Lizard, all of whom will be playing special 30 minute sets.
Komodo Rock caught up with Kat to find out more about the goals of the event, the disease, and how the charity helps sufferers like herself.
Komodo Rock: Your concert at the Intrepid Fox is in aid of the National Association for Colitis and Crohn's Disease. Can you tell us a little more about the charity itself, and the work they do?
Kat Ellis: The NACC offer support for suffers like myself and their families. They have a monthly magazine that gets sent to all its members showing us how to cope, giving good advice on different forms of medication and people write articles on their own experiences with the illness. Holding different charity events, be it a gig like mine (however i think I'm the first one to ever do this!) sponsored runs, selling cakes, sales, anything and everything you can think of!
KR: This is obviously a charity close to your heart. What was the main reasons behind setting up the event?
KE: Two years ago i was in hospital for 4 months as my Crohn's flared up so badly. I lost pretty much all my hair due to the stress and nearly had to have part of my bowel removed. Luckily with a strong course of steroids I managed to get myself back on the mend, but it took a long time and i missed out on a hell of a lot that year!
I was told I would never be able to hold down a steady job due to my illness. This annoyed me, so the first thing I did when I was better was apply for a job at the [Intrepid] Fox. I got it, and have worked there pretty much ever since. I have my good and bad days but my bosses have been extremely supportive when I've had to have time off.
Holding this charity gig means I get to show people who have the disease you can do anything you like just like a normal healthy person if you put your mind to it. I want to make people more aware of this disease and just how serious it can be, and also to give something back to NACC who have always been there for me. Joining their group has shown me I'm not alone, and there's plenty of people out there who have this too!
KR: How did the event start? What gave you the ideas to actually make it happen?
KE: I don't think it was one certain thing that made the event start, I was just sick of explaining to people what Crohn's disease actually is! I thought if I put on a gig people will come along and raise some money for a good cause and get to perhaps understand a little bit of what Crohn's actually is.
KR: You've managed to put together a strong lineup of London based bands for the night. Were they all very supportive of the event and the NACC you are supporting?
KE: Very much so! Firstly I'm very lucky to work in a rock bar where I could actually hold the event, so I was off to a good start already! All the bands knew they wouldn't be getting paid for the event but that hasn't stopped them, which I'm very grateful for. The Junction 13 boys I've known for a few years now and they were more than happy to help. No Direction also, and King Lizard thankfully saved the day by filling in at the last mintue when Social Head Removal had to drop out!
KR: It hasn't been all plain sailing though. You had several changes of lineups. Can you tell us a little more about what happened there?
KE: Basically S.H.R had to pull out at the last minute due to family circumstances. I found another band - Lay Out The Traps - within 24hours and everything seemed to be running smoothly! However then they had to pull out also! I managed to get King Lizard at literally the last minute.
It was all a bit stressful to say the least!
KR: On top of that, you've also brought together an almost who's who of London rock DJ's. Was this the original plan, or was it more people wanting to get involved and help support the event?
KE: Mainly all the DJ's are friends. I wanted this event to be made up of people I know all pulling together as one to help raise money and awareness for something that is so very close to my heart.
The second I asked every single one of them they all wanted to get involved!
KR: When everything's all said and done, what do you hope to have achieved with the event?
Like I said, awareness. I want people who have Chron's Disease to actually be proud of what they've got and not be ashamed because it is an extremely embarrassing illness. I'm not phased by any of it. Ive had more colonoscopies than most people have had hot dinners, nothing bothers me anymore. I just want to show people if you have it you deal with it. You have good and bad days, and when you have your good daysm well why not do something useful like hold an event and raise a bit of cash for a good cause?
KR: Are their plans to do more concerts in the future for the NACC?
KE: Most definitely. This is just the beginning! The gig was mainly a tester, I wanted to see if I could actually pull it off. So far we've had brilliant response over myspace and facebook so the turn out for tomorrow is looking good!
KR: Is there anything else you'd like to add?
KE: I really hope that people get involved and want to learn about the cause. I am thankful to everyone that's helped out out; DJ's, Bands, My Bosses, My fellow members of staff at the Fox, Friends and family; A True Love Tattoo for donating prizes along with Roadrunner Records. Just everyone who's sent me prizes! It's been truly overwhelming.
Make sure you get your asses down to the Fox tomorrow for some serious fun!
A big thank you to Kat for taking the time to talk to us.
The Fox opens it's doors at 5.30pm tomorrow night, with the event itself kicking off at 7.30pm in the upstairs bar. The first band is due on stage at 8.30, and we here at Komodo Rock encourage everyone who is able to go down and support this worthy event for a worthy cause.
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