Peter WalshA 12-hour charity gig held at a Norwich pub has helped raise more than �1,000 towards helping to treat people struck down by breast cancer.Peter Walsh

A 12-hour charity gig held at a Norwich pub has helped raise more than �1,000 towards helping to treat people struck down by breast cancer.

The Brickmakers pub, a popular live music venue, hosted an Easter Monday charity day with 10 bands playing at the Sprowston Road venue between noon and midnight, with proceeds from the event going towards the Breast Cancer Campaign.

Pam South, landlady of the pub, said she hoped yesterday'sevent would not only raise vital funds in the battle against the disease but awareness about the disease too.

She said: 'Quite a few of our family and friends have been affected by cancer this year. There are very few who are not affected by it in one way or another, so we thought it would be a very good idea.

'The more awareness we can raise the better - it's very important.'

Mrs South, 55, said every band that played at the event did so for free, meaning that all proceeds from the �2 entry could go towards the charity.

Bands taking part in the event included Pure Passion, To The Last, Overdrive, In Rapture, The Collective, Tendahooks, Super Action Heroes, The Beckoning, Top Cat Alleycat, and The Uprising.

Benny Valentience, 23, from the band Top Hat Alleycat, said they were happy to play their part in the event, which not only gave them the chance to attract new fans, but more importantly spread the cancer awareness message.

He said: 'It's important to try to raise awareness about cancer - that's the main reason we came down. It's good to help. The Brickmakers has done a lot for us and it's only fair that we can help out.'

The Brickmakers pub has helped raise more than �40,000 for charity in the past five years.

In 2008 the pub raised more than �1,200 for the city's lifesaving SOS Bus with another charity gig over the Easter bank holiday weekend, while the local has also helped the national Tommy's Baby Charity and East Anglian Air Ambulance in recent years.

Mrs South said she hoped yesterday'sevent, which was open to families and included a bouncy castle and face painting for children, would help raise more than �1,000 for the Breast Cancer Campaign.

The charity event at the Brickmakers fits in with the Evening News' Love Your Local campaign which has urged people to support their local pub.

To find out more about the campaign or to read more stories log onto www.eveningnews24.co.uk and click on campaigns.

Is your local hosting an unusual event in aid of charity? Call reporter Peter Walsh on 01603 772436 or email peter.walsh@archant.co.uk

Norwich pub to reopen - see page nine.