Band spreads a little sunshine

CHARITY cheer . . . Mid-Life Crisis bring a splash of colour to their Shaw gig

AN OLDHAM band put the fun in fund-raising to collect another large sum for vital charities.

A costume change saw Mid-Life Crisis (MLC) take to the stage, which was decked with two inflatable palm trees, in Hawaiian shirts and sunglasses to bring some summer shine.

The band returned to perform a sell-out show at Shaw’s Playhouse 2 Theatre to raise a whopping £1,400 to be shared between Dr Kershaw’s and Springhill hospices.

It adds to the £1,600 the group collected for the two charities in a similar concert last year. The band performs pop and rock from the last six decades and always give their services for free to raise money for worthy causes — even though it usually costs them to play.

Band member Bernie Allen, from Shaw, who plays guitar and vocals, thanked the venue and audience for their support.

He said: “It was another huge success. There were many new faces but also many that had returned after enjoying last year’s show so much.

“We got tremendous support from Playhouse2 both in terms of their hospitality and, because it was all for charity, a much reduced cost for theatre hire.

“They put on a fantastic light show for us too.”

Since forming in 2001, MLC have evolved into a five-piece band: bass player Michael Turner, from Oldham, drummer Pete O’Connor, from Bury, guitarist Alan Humphries, from Dobcross, and keyboard player Phil Horrocks, from Shaw. They all perform vocals as well.

They were joined on the night by a special guest, local singer and keyboard player Sarah Turner.

The band have raised more than £25,000 since first performing and last year received a prestigious honour — The BT Chairman’s Award — in recognition of their achievements and community ethos.