MORE than £1,400 has been raised for Acorns Children’s Hospice.

Veterans of the Midlands folk scene Malfunction recently took to the stage for a very special gig to raise money for the charity, as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations.

After making their much anticipated comeback in November 2017, in front of family and friends, Malfunction members John McGowan and Chris Laverty have played a handful of well-received shows.

They recently performed an evening of folk nostalgia, with Black Country double act Dandy, at Stirchley United WMC, in Birmingham.

They raised £1,425.

John said the band has a long tradition of charity events going back to the days of Carol Singing at New Street Station with pupils from Archbishop Masterson School.

"Between 1995 and 1998 we presented a series of charity concerts at The Crescent Theatre in Birmingham raising funds for local and international causes," he said.

"The final Crescent concert took place in 1998 at the old theatre prior to it being closed and rebuilt on the new site. This concert featured ourselves and comedy duo Dandy and was for The Acorns Children’s Hospice.

"20 years later we were approached about presenting another show for this worthy cause and we reformed in November 2017 to prepare for this gig."

He added: "We were hoping it would top the £1,000 mark and very pleased with the amount raised and already looking at possible venues for another charity show this time next year - we might be in trouble if we wait another 20 years.

"It’s been great to be back on stage again this year and have had an excellent reception as well as meeting friends and folk followers who remembered us from during the last 40 years.

"The only difference now is that it takes us longer to recover from a gig these days."

A cheque was presented to Dee McCann and Toby Mobberley from Acorns Children’s Hospice by Chris and John, and Graham Onions who helped organise the event.

Acorns provides specialist palliative care to children and young people with life limiting and life threatening conditions, as well as support for their families.