A MUSIC charity that raises funds for vital cancer detection equipment has received the backing of another top name in the business.

Eighties' pop sensations The Blow Monkeys have become official ambassadors for the charity, following on from the support of rhythm and blues legend Jools Holland, just as the final preparations are being made for two fundraising concerts at The Best Western Grand Hotel, in Hartlepool, on March 31 and April 1.

The four-piece pop band – who had success with numerous hit singles in the 1980s, including Digging Your Scene and It Doesn’t Have To Be This Way – are working in partnership with the Teesside-based charity to help raise its profile on a national scale.

Tony Larkin, founder of Music v Cancer, said: “The Blow Monkeys have performed at our event in previous years, and after two appearances they said they would love to become ambassadors for the charity. They absolutely loved the concept of our live music events, the strong local feel they had, and the fact that all the money raised was going back in to the local community.”

The Blow Monkeys, consisting of front man Dr Robert, bassist Mick Anker, saxophonist Neville Henry and drummer Tony Kiley, re-formed in 2008 after nearly two decades apart, and have visited Hartlepool to play in the Music v Cancer live gigs twice.

“Having The Blow Monkeys as ambassadors for the charity is really exciting and it gives us an amazing opportunity to push the name of the charity out there and raise awareness of the work we do. Hopefully, their involvement in the charity will also encourage other bands to get involved with up and coming gigs and encourage fans from further afield to come see what we’re up to here in Hartlepool.”

Music v Cancer was founded by Tony in 2010, after he received the all-clear from bowel cancer. The not-for-profit charity has held 23 live music events to date and has raised £203,000 for cancer detection equipment in the North-East.

Live acts have included Jack Savoretti, The Temperance Movement, Turin Brakes, The Magic Numbers, the late Colin Vearncombe aka Black, JJ Rosa and Nizlopi.

Dr Robert said: "We are delighted and honoured to become MvC ambassadors. Over the years we have got to know Tony Larkin really well and are full of admiration for his positivity and energy.

"The gigs we played in Hartlepool were real highlights – great nights and full of meaning. Cancer has affected most people’s lives one way or another. I lost my father to it when I was a teenager. The very least we can do as musicians is put something back.”

The charity is currently gearing up for its first live sessions of 2017, with headline acts from across the country secured for both March 31 and April 1. The gigs, at 7pm each night, are set to showcase a range of styles, some of which are acoustic, some not, with names such as Skinny Living, Z-Star Delta, Leo Napier, Joe Dunwell, Robbie Cavanagh and Paul Liddell playing across the weekend.

A limited number of tickets are left for the March 31 gig, available to buy from the Best Western Grand Hotel in Hartlepool on 01429 266345.