12-hour Beatles marathon as bands play every studio album in MND Doddie Weir fundraiser

It takes place at Portobello Town Hall on Saturday, November 14, starting at midday - and aims to raise thousands of £s for the My Name Is Dobbie Foundation, set up by the legendary rugby player, the late Dobbie Weir, after he was diagnosed with Motor Neuron Disease (MND) in 2017.

The first two Beatles’ marathons, held in 2023 and 2024, raised over £21,000 for the charity set up to support those suffering from the disease, their families, and help to fund research to find a cure.

The marathon Porty concert was curated by Scott and Stuart McGachan - and it is a deeply personal gig.

Along with their sister Clare, they were raised by their parents, Pat and Moira, on a musical diet of Gerry Rafferty, Simon & Garfunkel, Fleetwood Mac, and The Beatles.

In 2021, Pat was diagnosed with MND and his health quickly deteriorated. Stuart, who moved to the USA, had hoped to take his father to Sgt. Peppercorn’s Marathon in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio, where a single band takes on the entire Beatles catalogue over the course of a day.

But Pat’s health meant that travelling was not an option - so the idea came to the capital.

Sadly, Pat passed away just weeks before the first event in 2023, so The Beatles Marathon UK now stands as a tribute to him, and all who are living with MND.

This year’s event will also feature a digital release of Pat’s version of ‘I’ve Just Seen a Face’.

With parallels to the production of ‘Now and Then’, released by The Beatles in 2023, the McGachan family were able to isolate Pat’s vocals from a 2016 demo he recorded. His composition of the 1965 track - which he called the “cowboy version” - has been professionally recorded with a little help from his friends and family who play on the recording.

This process gave those involved one final opportunity to play and sing in harmony with Pat. It will be released on streaming platforms in the lead-up to the marathon, and Scott’s band, Unrising Sun, will play his version on the night.

The are joined on the line-up by Sebastian Dangerfield, Broken by Rock, Hard Dave’s Night, The Charles Hawtrey Band, Jumbo Gibson, Mountain People, The Bad Eggs, Lollapaloosers, and Eight Arms to Hold You.

Also taking part are Kirkcaldy’s Kings Of Marigold who were formed out of the 2023 Beatles’ marathon and have gone on to perform a host of live shows celebrating the music of the Fab Four.

The Kings Of Marigold took their name from a lyric in The Beatles song, Cry Baby Cry, written by John Lennon, which references the Duchess of Kirkcaldy. They will perform two albums on the day, including Sgt Pepper.

The Kings Of Marigold also took part in a unique gig at Kirkcaldy’s Kings Theatre which marked 60 years to the day that The Beatles played a legendary gig in the Lang Toun.

> Tickets for The Beatles Marathon UK are on sale at http://www.BeatlesMarathon.comwww.BeatlesMarathon.com. The event is family-friendly, with free entry for under sixes and discounted tickets for under 18s. Food and drink is on offer from local vendors, and additional entertainment is available for children.