A Gravesend country music band who once played to thousands at Wembley Arena is hosting a show in aid of the hospice that cared for their much-loved founder member.

Mick Colley, 73, who founded the Original UK Mavericks with his brothers, twins Steve and David, 60, in 1977, passed away from cancer last November.

In memory of Mick, the band will host a tribute to him, with a show at the Inn on the Lake, Shorne, on Saturday, March 22 to raise money for the hospice.

Steve said: “The staff gave us great support – they told us the truth and were helpful in every possible way.

“They were angels and giving the money to them is to say thank you.”

The twins have established roots in the town, living on the King’s Farm Estate and Stanley Crescent. The show venue, the Inn on the Lake, also holds fond memories for them.

Steve said: “We were born in Gravesend – we would all go up to fish there in the summers. It was a nice place to go.”

This family band has an established country music pedigree.

They have played to thousands of people at Wembley Arena, appeared on the same bill as country music legend Dolly Parton and played with American country music singer Tammy Wynette.

Family is important to the band. Former member Steve Williams, who took over from Mick in 1983, has seen his son Darren join and is now a permanent part of the line-up.

The show will be recorded live and available to buy on CD, with hopes of raising £5,000. All proceeds will go to the Mount Edgcumbe Hospice in St Austell, Cornwall, where Mick had moved.

Steve knows it will be an emotional evening for all involved. He said: “I am going to find it very difficult.”

He has rewritten two songs. One is called the Maverick, which the brothers wrote together.

The current seven members will perform in front of an audience which will include Mick’s two sons, Richard and Simon, as well as his grandchildren.

The invite was also extended to everyone who knew Mick in Cornwall and could not attend his funeral.

The gig starts at 8pm on Saturday, March 22 at the Inn on the Lake, Shorne. Tickets are £10 and can be bought on the night.

n For more information, go the band’s Facebook page //www.facebook.com/TheOriginalUkMavericksfacebook