One of the loudest and ear-splitting charity fund raisers is almost ready to explode into life.

The countdown is on for the beginning of the Big Beat 2017, which will feature six well-known drummers from the local music scene playing non-stop to songs and live DJs for over 50 hours.

The action, which is sponsored by Pokerstars Helping Hands and will raise money for Craig’s Heartstrong Foundation, begins at 11am on Friday, February 24, in the Villa Marina Promenade Suite, and will carry on, throughout all day Friday and Saturday night, ending at some point on Sunday afternoon.

It is hoped that the drummers, Martin Rigby, Andy James, Ben O’Hare, Johnny Peacock, Noah Egelnick and Steve Leach will surpass the 51 hours they played for during the last Big Beat event in 2014 and, by drawing on their experiences, they should be able to make 53 hours.

During the last Big Beat drumathon, they managed to raise £20,000 for Hospice.

There is a full running order of music, including hours dedicated to bands, such as David Bowie, the Beatles, and Status Quo, dedicated to the late mother of Johnny Peacock, who died late last year, and was a huge Quo fan.

There is also to be a return to the days of Bushys, with Friday night being renamed ’The Bitching Party’, in honour of the legendary Manx soundman Phil Maddrell.

There is also the opportunity for people to come along and join in with the drummers, in return for a donation.

Ben O’Hare said that with a paced timeline of music and the support of many members of the Manx local music scene, they should be able to make it through to Sunday afternoon.

’The idea behind it is to contribute to the community in whatever way through the celebration of drums, which is something we’re all passionate about,’ said Ben.

’I think that this time around we might be a little bit more disciplined with taking more breaks.

’Last time, because it was the first time we did it, there was lots of enthusiasm to go and do loads of hours without taking a break. This time we’ll try and stagger it.

’We’ll be knackered at the end of it, that’s fairly inevitable, but it is all for a good cause.’