CLUBBING TOGETHER
FUND FOR IBIZA TRIP RAISES NEARLY £3000 DJ backs disabled fan’s holiday bid
Dance DJ Seb Fontaine is backing a crowdfunding bid to send a disabled Scot and his carers on a dream holiday to Ibiza.
Gerald Masterton, 47, refused to let funding cuts stand in his way last year when he hired two strangers through Facebook to take him on a two-week trip to the Spanish party island.
Now the music-mad cerebral palsy sufferer, from Shettleston, Glasgow, has been touched by the kindness of friends and strangers who have donated nearly £ 3000 to his next excursion in a matter of days.
Gerald, who uses a wheelchair and communicates via a computer, has already organised to meet the two fully trained carers he has enlisted.
He said: “I had been saving all year again. I can’t thank the people who donated towards my trip enough. It will make such a difference.
“Ibiza is so special in my heart. People think it’s just a party island but it’s not – I love the Spanish culture and Ibiza town is so lovely.
“I’m a happy, caring person but I find a lot of people here can’t get to know me. I wish I could move to Spain and live there.”
More than 160 people have pledged cash for Gerald’s holiday in July. Veteran house DJ Fontaine helped to kickstart the appeal – created by Gerald’s DJ friend Tim Sheridan – by shar ing it through his Facebook page.
Fontaine, who donated an undisclosed sum, said: “I think anyone who goes through that level of commitment to get to Ibiza deserves help to make it happen.
“Tim has been a great friend and started something really lovely. Gerald seems to have a lot of support and it’s not surprising.”
Gerald fell in love with Ibiza after a holiday there in 2001 but says it has become increasingly difficult to afford the care he needs.
Last year, his Facebook appeal for help sourcing affordable carers went viral. He needs help eating, washing, dressing and getting around and says that while he has to cover all the costs of his carers joining him on holiday, it will be cheaper than paying the hourly rates agencies charge for professionals.
Gerald shunned nights out and saved £ 5000 to enl ist the help of carers Sarka and Evija to accompany him on last year’s trip to Playa d’en Bossa.
During the holiday, our sister paper the Daily Record arranged for Gerald to meet his favourite DJ Carl Cox, who was ending a 15-year residency at now-closed superclub Space. To donate to Gerald’s trip, visit www.gofundme.com/GeraldIbiza
Anyone who goes to that effort to get to Ibiza deserves help to make it happen