No crisis as band ring up a double success

Mid Life Crisis, rewarded for their charity work, (back row, from the left) Pete O’Connor, Phil Horrocks and Michael Turner. (Front row,) Alan Humphries and Bernie Allen

A five-strong band of middle-aged men eager to banish the blues of a mid-life crisis have won a national award for their charity efforts.

The musicians, who together make up the band MLC, aka Mid-life Crisis, have bagged an award in the BT Community Champions Scheme, as well as the chairman’s award.

The awards reward BT employees — band member Bernie Allen works for the company — who do voluntary work.

Guitarists Bernie and Alan Humphries came up with the idea of forming a band after getting together for weekly jamming sessions at one of their homes.

Joined by drummer Pete O’Connor, Michael Turner on bass and Phil Horrocks on keyboards, the five, who all provide the vocals for MLC, started playing in public.

They take no fees for doing a gig, but instead ask for a donation to charity, as well as playing for free at charity events.

Their selfless attitude won them a community champion award, which qualified them for the chairman’s award to recognise the best of the best, and their commitment to the community and charitable work.

MLC bagged a £500 prize for each award, and Bernie travelled to the BT Tower in London to pick up the trophy on behalf of the band from company chairman Sir Michael Rake.

A proud Bernie said the award money had been used to