BUSINESSES have pledged their support to a North-East band which is striving for success.

The Voluntears, based across County Durham and Darlington, have secured sponsorship from a restaurant and clothes shop as they prepare to release their first single.

An event was held this week to mark the handing over of £1,000 at the Cinnamon Spice Club, in Trimdon, near Sedgefield, which has got behind the indie rock group.

Sabir Ahmed, manager of the Cinnamon Spice Club, said: “They are really good and I think it’s nice to back them.”

The cash will go towards the cost of recording and producing the band’s first single, Oh Hello, as well as towards the creation of a music video.

Menswear store Woven Durham, in Durham City, has also pledged its support to the band and has offered to dress them for tours.

Mark Dunn, guitarist, of Trimdon, said: “It means the world. It’s great to get local businesses backing us and trying to help us to get on our way, and be there on our journey.”

The band performed at Fishburn Village Hall on Saturday and raised £3,500 for Blackhall Colliery cancer sufferer Bradley Lowery.

The Cinnamon Spice Club is raising funds for the same cause this week - with a percentage of each meal purchased being donated.

Find the band on Facebook by searching The Voluntears.