Pub punters raise £2,000 at bandathon

PUNTERS at a Dundee city centre pub helped raise more than £2,000 during a 12-hour music marathon in a bid to raise funds for the Tayside Mountain Rescue Team.

The Bank Bar in Union Street organised the event on Sunday with 12 bands performing for free.

Dundee bands playing on the day included the likes of Sinderins, Lefty and Nic Madill.

Landlady Susan Russell said: “It was an absolutely fantastic day. All the tickets were sold for the day so it was jam-packed.

“We will definitely be going ahead next year for the fifth year.

“I would like to thank the bands for performing for free, all the customers who bought tickets and came along and all the shops in Union Street for their support and sponsorship.”

Paul Russell, deputy team leader at Tayside Mountain Rescue, said events like the bandathon were vital for the group with only limited government funding available.

About 50 volunteers — that include serving police officers, teachers and managers from across Tayside — give up their time to help those in need of support on the vast stretches of moutainous area in Tayside and Perth and Kinross.

Teams are tasked with helping anyone who might be lost, injured or in need of urgent medical assistance.

Paul said: “The money raised will go towards technical equipment that helps saves lives on the many callouts Tayside Mountain Rescue Team receives every year.

“I would like to thank everyone who turned out and the Union Street shops for their support on Sunday.”

Sunday’s bandathon was taking place for the fourth successive year at the Union Street pub with the events helping to raise more than £10,000 for the group overall.