STUDENTS, friends and tutors of Mike Smith Guitar Academy paid tribute to the 30th anniversary of Live Aid and raised more than £12,000 for the Band Aid Trust.

The Remembering Live Aid show, which took place in July, at the Tree Tops venue at West Midland Safari Park, raised £12,032.57 for the trust.

The event was the result of seven months of planning by event organiser, Mike Smith, who decided he wanted to attempt to raise more money for the Band Aid Trust, by paying tribute.

Mr Smith said: “We chose 70 songs in total, with Status Quo’s classic, ‘Rockin’ All Over the World’ being the opening number.

“With the list of songs in place, it was time to begin the process of teaching them to the academy students. Students as young as six to 70-years-old embraced the list of songs – which included classics from the likes of the Boomtown Rats, Bowie, Queen and countless others.

“The venue was at its capacity, and at 2pm, the Mayor of Kidderminster arrived and opened up the show for us – she even went onto wear the event t-shirt.

“As the day wore on it became very apparent the academy had smashed its original 10k target, and had hit the phenomenal 12k mark.

“This has been a very tough journey indeed, but it has been worth every moment, every problem I have had to deal with, it just shows that Wyre Forest can make a difference.”

Mr Smith is currently arranging for a meeting with Band Aid Trust creator, Sir Bob Geldof, in October, to present the cheque.