UB40’s Brian Travers says the “good people of Evesham” are coming to Birmingham’s aid as he encourages pub goers to support a new fundraising initiative.

The founding member of the reggae band suffered a seizure earlier this year, and it was discovered he had two tumours on his brain after an MRI scan. The saxophonist was forced to miss the band’s latest tour as he had surgery at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham to remove the tumours.

He told the Journal he has finished chemotherapy this week and now wanted to give something back to the hospital, so is "on a mission" to raise £360,000 for state-of-the-art equipment.

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Mr Travers says he has known the new chef of the Outside Inn in Market Place, Taz Sullivan, for years, and the chef as well as general manager Dan Drinkwater offered to do anything they could to support his fundraising.

“We got chatting, and they offered to sell a couple of my paintings to raise money,” Mr Travers said.

“You guys here in Evesham would be treated at the QE for any neurosurgery so it helps everyone.

"I started painting again as I missed playing music. People can put their silent bids in. I am just humbled by everyone's support - beautiful Evesham coming to Birmingham’s aid.”

Mr Travers said one of the paintings is called Get Up Stand Up, while the other is a painting of Evesham itself. During his visit Mr Travers also got a chance to see a sneak preview of a new kitchen opening at the Outside Inn in July, adding the pub is “fantastic”, with “two philanthropists” behind it.

Mr Drinkwater said: “The paintings will be hanging up in the pub for the auction.

"It was great to have Brian visit and see the kitchen that will have a brand new menu from award winning chefs.”

The money is being raised through the Giles Trust brain tumour fund set up by Mr Travers’ friend England cricketer Ashley Giles.

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