Mortimer's destiny keeps him going, giving

You get a sense of Brian Mortimer by looking at some of the numbers.

He's owned or operated 17 different bars and restaurants in London since 1975; he's helped organize hundreds of events that have raised millions of dollars for local charities; almost every day he punches out at least 30 phone calls and 70 e-mails; and he's broken 38 bones in his body (including a dozen in his face) from soccer, football and wrestling. Oh. And about a kazillion people call him a friend.

But the numbers barely scrape the surface of this seemingly tireless London music promoter, manager, restaurateur and volunteer, whose 55th birthday is being marked tonight with a bash at the downtown Music Hall.

"He's just one of those quiet gems that London has," London West MP Ed Holder says from Ottawa. "I'm a big fan of his because he cares so much and he gives so much back."

Holder worked with Mortimer on the annual Gathering on the Green festival staged by the Old South Community Organization.

As always, Mortimer's job was to book the entertainment.

"He's a very low-key, galvanizing character," says Holder. "If you say, 'Brian, can you help?' he's just there."

It's astonishing how many events Mortimer has helped organize during the years, including the Labatt 24-hour Relay, the Corporate Challenge, the Soup Lunch (for the Heart and Stroke Foundation), the Dustin Wighton Memorial Volleyball Tournament (which during its 12-year existence raised more than $250,000 for research into Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), the Jack Richardson Music Awards, the Rubber Ducky Race and the Balloon Fiesta, to name a few.

Many of the events, though, are smaller. Sitting on Mortimer's dining room table yesterday was a card from a woman thanking him for organizing a fundraiser after the death of her son.

"I think it's in his blood," says Rick DeJager, owner of Tiger Jacks. "There's nobody coaching him (to do this charity work). It's a natural thing for him."

While the bar and music scene can be cutthroat, Mortimer has somehow avoided sinking into cynicism.

"He's a fun guy with a big heart," says UWO track coach Bob Vigars, who worked with Mortimer on the Labatt 24-Hour Relay.

"He's a really nice, gentle, ethical man."

When pressed, Mortimer says his job is simple: To provide fun.

"I have a philosophy of abundance," he says, adding his mother always emphasized kindness.

"I feel it's my destiny to help people."

But how does one guy get so much done in so little time?

First, he says, he surrounds himself with a team of great people.

The rest, he adds, is simple.

"I've been good to all these people, and I pick up the phone and you know what? They can't say 'no' to me."

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IF YOU GO

Still Alive at 55, a birthday bash for Brian Mortimer tonight at 8 p.m. at the Music Hall (185 Queens Ave.), $10 tickets available at the door. KEYWORDS=LOCAL