KIDDERMINSTER guitar students will be striking a chord for charity again later this year having raised more than £8,000 for a cause close to their hearts.

Mike Smith Guitar Academy put on a student show at Kidderminster Town Hall to raise money and awareness for The Stroke Association after one student 18-year-old Vikki Matthews suffered a stroke.

And business owner Mr Smith said he was delighted with the success of the show, which featured students of all ages and abilities performing a range of songs to a capacity crowd, amassed an impressive £8258.20.

The money has been donated to The Stroke Association’s community and events fundraiser Claire Weaver.

Mr Smith added they will be hosting another charity show at the Town Hall on Friday, December 21 to boost dementia groups in the area.

He said: “The funding raised from the concert is to be used to help patients in and around Worcestershire, receive the treatment and therapies that they so desperately need.

“I would like to thank everyone who supported the event, including the wonderful photography by Worcester-based Georgie Browning.

“We are now preparing for the Christmas show with the aim of donating funds to local dementia groups.”

Claire added: “We help tens of thousands of stoke survivors and their families through our range of services and free helpline, but we can only do this through the generosity of people like Mike and his very talented students.

“We’re incredibly grateful to them for raising such a large amount of money and choosing to support the Stroke Association.

“The money they have raised will go a long way to helping more Stroke survivors like Vikki to rebuild their lives. Thank you all’.

For further information including ticket details, contact Mr Smith on 07749836641 or email: mike608@btinternet.com.