A BAND is celebrating after fundraising gigs in memory of their lead singer raised more than £100,000.

Seventies chart-topping band Dr Feelgood has been gigging around Southend and Canvey for the past 21 years in memory of Lee Brilleaux, their former lead singer who died of lymphoma, aged 41, at Fair Havens Hospice, Westcliff, in 1994.

Since then, the band has held an annual gig at the Oysterfleet, Canvey, to raise money for the hospice.

Ann Adley, record label manager and PA for Grand Records and Dr Feelgood, said: “I volunteered at Fair Havens more than 20 years ago, so it has always been a cause close to my heart.

“I would serve the patients and nurses their dinner and then we would all sit together and eat.

“One night I was late back and my husband wondered where I had got to. I told him we were having a laugh and I lost track of time. He was surprised as he didn’t think of a hospice as a place of laughter, but I had such a lovely time there. Everyone was so kind.

“After Lee died we wanted to do something to honour his memory and the music concerts were a natural fit.

“Each morning of the gigs we take a walk around Canvey stopping at places of significance – the band shot most of their album covers on the island.”

The band will no longer hold the fundraising gig after raising £102,000.

Mrs Adley said: “After raising such a great amount of money for the charity and with someone else in the band poorly, we have decided to end these yearly concerts on a high.

“It has been great fun over the years. One couple even got married at one of the gigs, which is something I will never forget.”

Jacqui Knowles, Havens Hospices Fundraiser, said: “Dr Feelgood and their fans have been fantastic supporters of Havens Hospices over the years.

“Our care is completely free of charge. We are not part of the NHS and receive limited government funding.

“It costs around £100,000 each week to continue providing this special palliative care to those who need it and we can only continue to do that, thanks to fundraising events like the Dr Feelgood shows and others in the local community.”