Sam Fender makes surprise appearance as Pirates raise funds for MND in North Shields

Pirates Reunite at King Street Social Club for Team Janine charity event.

A packed King Street Social Club witnessed one of the most talked-about live music moments of the year on Saturday night, as Sam Fender made a surprise appearance during The Pirates’ one-off reunion fundraiser for Motor Neurone Disease (MND).

The event was organised in memory of Janine Turnbull and held under the banner of Team Janine, a fundraising initiative established to support research into MND.

The atmosphere was charged from the opening number, but it reached another level when Fender joined his father Alan Fender and brother Liam Fender on stage.

There was no elaborate introduction — simply a shift in energy as he walked out to join the 11-piece band. The reaction was immediate and sustained, with the room erupting in applause before settling into full-throated singalongs.

It was a rare moment of generational symmetry: father, sons and a North Shields audience united for a cause rooted firmly in the local community.

A Reunion with Purpose

The Pirates had not performed together for more than a decade. Originally formed in the early 2000s after John Turnbull persuaded a group of seasoned North East musicians — including Alan Fender, Kenny and Frank Shields of Deja Vu — out of early retirement, the band quickly grew into a large-scale covers collective.

At their peak, they numbered 14 members and developed a strong following across Whitley Bay and North Shields.

Saturday’s line-up, a streamlined but still expansive 11-piece ensemble, retained that layered sound. The setlist reflected the band’s longstanding refusal to rely on predictable pub staples.

Instead, they moved fluidly between The Beatles and The Kinks, Paolo Nutini and Green Day, Boz Scaggs and Steely Dan, alongside anthems from James and The Proclaimers. The musicianship was tight, assured and clearly well rehearsed — more revival than nostalgia.

An auction ran alongside the live set, contributing significantly to the fundraising effort.

Fundraising until there is a cure

The night was held in memory of Janine Turnbull, a much-loved Whitley Bay mum and dedicated supporter of the band. In her name, Team Janine has committed to fundraising until there is a cure for Motor Neurone Disease.

Importantly, 100% of any money raised by Team Janine goes directly to SiTRAN (The Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience) via the MND Association, ensuring funds support frontline research into understanding, treating and ultimately curing the disease.

More than a headline moment

While Sam Fender’s appearance understandably dominated conversation, the defining characteristic of the evening was collective purpose.

Strong ticket sales, generous auction bids and visible community backing demonstrated a shared commitment to advancing research into a disease that continues to affect families across the UK.

Final fundraising totals are expected to be confirmed in the coming days.

As reunion gigs go, this one carried weight beyond performance. It was a reminder of how local music scenes can mobilise quickly and meaningfully when driven by something larger than the stage.

More updates to follow as the final total is announced.

🔗 Learn more about Team Janine: https://teamjanine.co.uk/

Find out more about efforts across North Shields to support charity initiatives below:

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