TWO popular brass bands will perform in Evesham for a charity which is close to their hearts.

The Avonbank Brass Band and Stour Concert Brass will each feature in a special concert to raise funds for The Tracy Sollis Leukaemia Trust. The evening will be action packed with solo spots and finishing with a massed band performance.

The event takes place on Friday September 18 at St Peter’s Church, Bengeworth, commencing at 7.30pm. Admission is free with donations gratefully received at the close of the evening.

Many band members remember Tracy Sollis, after whom the charity was founded. Tracy played tenor horn with Avonbank Brass Band when she was just 12 years old and then went on to play 1st horn with Blockley Brass Band and Winchcombe Group 4 Concert Brass.

Tracy qualified and played in the National Brass Finals in 1993 with Winchcombe Band. It was at this time that she was first diagnosed as suffering from leukaemia.

In 1995 and following an unsuccessful bone marrow transplant Tracy died aged 15 years.

This is a follow up to last year’s joint concert held in memory of Dave Turner who played with both bands and was a former trustee of the charity.

Funds raised on the evening will be used to further research taking place in ‘The Tracy Sollis Laboratory’ which is situated on the grounds of the Royal Free Hospital London and also to enhance the treatment and care of local patients.