South Shields pub the Steamboat to host roof-raising live music event for Macmillan

The Steamboat will host local blues and country trio The Hat Band and crowd-pleasers, Blue Moon on Friday, February 21 to raise cash for the South Shields-based Macmillan fundraising group.

Retired firefighter and Blue Moon singer Geoff Harrison approached the group in January with a desire to help raise the profile of the South Tyneside branch of the charity.

“My mother received a lot of support from Macmillan before she passed away as did my sister when she was very ill with cancer,” said Geoff.

“I’ve wanted to do something for a while and there’s so much misery around, now felt like a good time to do it.”

He added: “It will be a fun night and hopefully we’ll raise as much as possible.”

As well as live music there will be cash and prize raffles to be won on the night.

The group are hoping the event will give them a kick-start to exceed last year’s total which was more than £15,000.

Linda Gordon said: The manageress has been really supportive of the event and agreed to let us put in donation tins ahead of the event and sell raffle tickets.

“All proceeds will go to Macmillan to help support those in the local area.”

The event starts at 7pm at the Steamboat, Mill Dam.

Full details can be found on the South Shields Macmillan Fundraising page.