THE mayor of Worcester joined ukulele players during a city centre fundraiser.

More than 30 players from Worcester Ukulele Club entertained shoppers on Saturday to raise money for the Worcester and District Branch of Parkinson’s UK.

The show, held at Bell Square in Crowngate Shopping Centre, provided continuous music for four hours as players took it in turns to entertain the crowds.

Overall £1,000 was collected which has been added to the more than £3,500 previously raised by the Worcester and District branch of Parkinson’s UK since last November, when members began supporting it as their charity.

Councillor Jabba Riaz joined the strummers at midday and, donning a hat and ukulele, joined in with Johnny Be Good.

The strummers were also boosted by a welcome free cup of coffee given by Bill’s Restaurant nearby and went on to perform several other numbers, much to the appreciation and applause from the audience.

Beverley Abbs, from the group, said: “A very big thank you to everyone who played, helped and donated money. We were all boosted by a welcome cup of coffee given by Bill’s Restaurant and performed several other numbers, much to the appreciation and applause by an audience which had gathered in the shopping centre to hear the music."

The Worcester and District branch is one of 365 local groups in the charity’s network that offer a space for people with Parkinson’s to meet others in similar situations and access support.

Andrew Phillips, chairman of the county Parkinson’s branch, added: “The band entertained shoppers. The branch is so grateful to the band for making them their charity of the year.”

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