Love, Loss, and heroes: The Pirates gig raises the roof and hope for MND

If ever there was a perfect example of a community coming together for a common cause, this was it – community in the face of MND.

The sold-out Pirates Gig at King Street Social was more than just a reunion for a popular local band; it was a profound, powerful display of community spirit, all for one vital mission: raising funds for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in memory of Janine Turnbull.

Janine tragically lost her life to MND in August 2025, just 11 months after her formal diagnosis.

But the devastating impact of the disease was met with an incredible response.

As her husband, John Turnbull, co-founder of The Pirates, reflected, the grief was there, but Team Janine refused to feel helpless. They swung into action, and to date, have raised a staggering £45,000 for MND research and over £15,000 for home adaptations. This event was a continuation of that unwavering spirit.

I was lucky enough to catch a quick chat with John Turnbull just after the band’s final rehearsal and asked how he met Janine.

“I met her at The Fat Ox in Whitley Bay,” he said.

“She followed the band all over the place. The Fat Ox is where the band originated.

“We were conceived on a pissed night out 20 years ago!”

And what gave him the idea for this fundraising gig?

“The band originally wanted to fundraise for us in order to get some adaptations done in our home but another friend of Janine’s had already set up a Go Fund Me page and she raised over £17,000.

“But the idea for the band to do something was still there, and so here we are.”

John Turnbull managed to coax his fellow musicians out of semi-retirement, reforming The Pirates as an 11-piece supergroup for the show of their lives. It was a fitting tribute for Janine, who was the band’s self-confessed Number One Fan.

The line-up for the night showcased a powerful collective of local musical talent, comprising legendary local musicians. Adding to the star-power, the reformed group featured a special appearance from Sam Fender, who is currently Number 1 in the Official UK Charts.

The evening was a rollercoaster of emotion, humour, and fantastic music.

The show opened with a powerful bagpipe and drums sequence, leading to John taking the stage for a poignant rendition of the ‘Skye Boat Song,’ a traditional Scottish song which was played at his wife’s funeral — reflecting on his wife’s funeral in front of hundreds of people less than a year on displayed remarkable strength and courage, a trait apparent in all of Team Janine.

Highlights of the night included a touching tribute when Janine’s sister performed a moving rendition of Carole King’s ‘You’ve Got a Friend‘, truly encapsulating the love at the heart of Janine’s family and friends.

There was also a major announcement when Dominic McDonough from the MND Association (MNDA) gave a powerful speech, announcing that an arm of research at Sheffield (SITran) would be named after Janine—a testament to the legacy she has already left in the short time since her passing.

But the soundtrack of the night was provided by The Pirates, who delivered a killer setlist ranging from the Ghostbusters opener to classics like ‘Love of the Common People’ (which got the crowd dancing), ‘Werewolves of London‘, and the communal sing-along anthems ‘500 Miles’, ‘Sit Down’, and ‘Sweet Caroline’.

The band’s set included a stirring performance of David Bowie’s ‘Heroes,’ a fitting and powerful anthem for the community spirit on display. It was a moment that perfectly encapsulated the enduring strength of Team Janine’.

They aren’t just a group of friends and family; they are heroes—not just ‘for one day’ but for the long, courageous battle ahead—united in their mission to turn loss into a lasting legacy.

From the comic interlude and the Bertie Foster auction to the powerful pledge to continue fundraising until there is a cure—”Fuck Off MND!”—the entire event was a testament to the power of a community united by love and loss.

It wasn’t just a gig; it was a declaration that Janine’s legacy is built on a deep, enduring, and inspiring love that will continue to drive Team Janine towards finding a cure.

Find out more about Team Janine: https://teamjanine.co.uk/

All image credit: Rachel Riley Photography – Instagram

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