Pirates – One-Off Fundraiser for MND
📍 King Street Social Club, North Shields
📅 Saturday 21 February
🕖 7pm–11pm
- Live music from The Pirates (11-piece band)
- Special guest performers
- Fundraising auction
- All proceeds support Motor Neurone Disease (MND) research in memory of Janine Turnbull
The page for donations can be accessed here
Tickets for the event can be purchased here
A one-off fundraising gig will take place at King Street Social Club in North Shields on Saturday 21 February, as local band The Pirates reunite for the first time in over a decade to raise funds for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in memory of Janine Turnbull.
The event, running from 7pm to 11pm, will feature an 11-piece band, special guest performers and an auction, with all proceeds going towards MND research.
Remembering Janine Turnbull
Janine Turnbull, from Whitley Bay, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in September 2024, having first noticed symptoms more than a year earlier. She died at home on Monday 4 August 2025, less than a year after her diagnosis.
A former police officer, Janine was widely known for her humour, resilience and strong sense of community. Despite the rapid progression of the disease, her family have said she was determined not to let MND define her, remaining socially active and engaged with friends and family for as long as possible.
Since her diagnosis, family and friends have raised over £45k for MND Research, as well as £17,000 to help fund essential adaptations to the family home. Fundraising continues under the name Team Janine, with donations supporting organisations including SITraNs, a UK charity dedicated to research into MND.
The Pirates return
The fundraising event will see The Pirates perform together again for the first time in over ten years. The band was originally formed in the early 2000s, bringing together a group of North East musicians for what became a large-scale charity covers project.
Formed after John Turnbull persuaded friends — including multi-instrumentalists Alan Fender and Kenny, and keyboardist Frank Shields of Deja Vu — to come out of early retirement, the band quickly grew in size and reputation.
John and Alan fronted the band, with Liam Fender initially on drums before later moving to keyboards and guitar, also contributing vocals. Bass duties rotated between Kenny, Jimmy Champney and Mark Appleby, while Jason Osborne (Zoots Navarro) later joined on drums. Guitar duties were led by Terry Black of Rough Justice, often joined by guest performers.
At its peak, the band reached 14 members.
Musically, the sets went well beyond standard covers, featuring a wide mix of artists including The Beatles, The Kinks, Paolo Nutini, Green Day, Boz Scaggs, Steely Dan, James and The Proclaimers. What began as a one-off event at The Fat Ox in Whitley Bay developed into an occasional run of packed shows across Whitley Bay and North Shields.
The band eventually stopped performing together and has not played since — until now.
A night for a cause
Janine Turnbull was known as The Pirates’ number one fan, rarely missing a gig or an after-party. The decision to reunite the band was made to honour her memory and continue fundraising efforts in her name.
The event at King Street Social Club is open to the public, with proceeds going directly towards MND research and support.
Why this matters
Motor Neurone Disease is a terminal neurological condition that affects muscle control and mobility. There is currently no cure. Funds raised through events like this help support research into treatments, improve quality of life for people living with MND, and provide support for families affected by the condition.
Learn more about MND and how donations help
- Motor Neurone Disease Association (UK)
https://www.mndassociation.org
The main UK charity supporting people living with MND, funding research and providing care and advocacy. - MND Association – Fundraising & Donations
https://www.mndassociation.org/get-involved/fundraising
Information on how donations are used and how individuals and communities can get involved. - SITraN – Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience
https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/sitran/research/mnd
A leading UK research centre focused on understanding and treating MND and related neurological conditions. - Donate to SITraN / Sheffield MND Care Centre
https://sheffieldmndcarecentre.sites.sheffield.ac.uk/about-the-centre/donations
Direct donations supporting specialist care and research. - UK Motor Neuron Disease Research Institute (UK MNDRI)
https://ukmndri.org/donate/
A national collaboration accelerating MND research across the UK.
