Singer-songwriter Rupert Stroud is tipped as one of the hottest young acts to emerge from Yorkshire.

Next week, he will be raising the roof at Ilkley Playhouse, at a charity concert boosting funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Rupert, 25, will host the gig – also featuring other local acts delivering jazz, indie, rock and pop – as a tribute to his late grandmother, Eileen, who died after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

With the backing of his band, Rupert will play his recently-released charity single Always along with tracks from his albums, Chasing The Night and Rupert Road.

Acoustic singer-songwriter Jasmine Kennedy will open the show and vocalist Kate Peters will sing with Rupert and her own jazz band.

Rupert studied at Leeds Metropolitan University and recently moved to Ilkley.

“My beautiful grandma died two years ago after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s, she was 87,” he says. “It made me realise how little money there is for research into this cruel disease and I want to do everything I can to help the experts.

“As a young woman, Grandma was vibrant and loved dancing and singing and was very artistic. She cared for my grandad for years as he had severe rheumatoid arthritis.

“Alzheimer’s took hold a few years later and for the last four years of her life, she needed 24-hour care in a nursing home. She couldn’t speak and didn’t recognise any of the family. Her memories seemed frozen inside. My brothers and I used to sit with her and hold her hand. I hope she got comfort from that.”

Adds Rupert: “This concert is a tribute to my wonderful grandma and the first of a number of music events I’ve got planned around the country to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK. All proceeds from the concert will go towards the charity’s pioneering research into Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. All the proceeds from my charity single Always are also being donated to this very worthwhile cause.”

Miranda Mays, community fundraising manager for Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “Rupert’s drive and commitment to raise money for our vital dementia research is tremendous. We can’t thank him enough. Every £20 raised from the concert and downloads of his single will pay for another hour of world-class research, bringing us closer to finding ways to diagnose, prevent, treat and cure Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.”

* Rupert Stroud is at the Wharfeside Theatre, Ilkley Playhouse, on Saturday, June 30, at 7.30pm. For tickets ring (01943) 609539.