Sunday's MND fundraiser personal to rock band

West-Berkshire-based rock band Fragile will be playing at a charity gig in Hungerford on Sunday to raise funds for a cause close to their hearts.
The concert at The Croft Hall is in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, in support of the Yes tribute band’s guitarist Tom Dawe who is fighting the incurable neurological condition.
Tom, a founder member of the band formed in 1998 as a tribute to ’70s rock legends Yes, is not expected to play at the gig but is hoping to be well enough to join the audience with his wife Julie. He was diagnosed with MND at the end of 2012 and returned to the band last year after a break due to his health problems.
Band leader Max Hunt, who lives at Hamstead Marshall, knows too well the devastating effects of MND as he lost his mother Pamela and several other family members to the progressive disease which has no known cure.
Max, a session musician who has appeared with members of Yes and former lead singer of Marilion, Fish, said of Tom’s illness: “It is terrible for him and we are very aware that nowhere near as much priority is given to funding of the MND Association as compared with other health charities.
“With my family history and Tom’s links, we want to do a couple of fundraisers this year, including a larger multi-band event this June in Surrey, where Tom lives.”
Forty-seven-year-old Max, a keyboard player with Fragile featuring Claire Hamill, is determined to help raise the profile of the MND Association as well as boost its funds. He remembers how his late mother was supported by the charity’s West Berkshire branch during her illness.
He said: “The MND Association does amazing work in helping MND sufferers and their carers cope with life facing this terrible disease.
“They also do great fundraising work to help research into this disease.”
The band, known to Yes fans all over Europe, will play to an audience of 120 at The Croft Hall for the gig which also features singer songwriter Claire Hamill who worked with Alan White, Steve Howe and John Anderson during her impressive career.
There will be a licensed bar, charity cake sale and other refreshments. The doors open at 7pm for the 8pm show.
Tickets, at £10 each, can be reserved by emailing