Rock legend Robert Plant helped raise over £30,000 for a Cumbrian children’s charity with an appearance at a concert in Egremont.
The Led Zeppelin lead singer wowed the small crowd with eight songs which he performed with Francis Dunnery, of It Bites fame.
The money will go to CKDCF, a small charity based in Egremont which provides grants and charitable donations to help Cumbrian children in need, was founded by Dunnery.
Dunnery met Robert Plant in the early 90s when he was asked to audition for, and later became, guitarist in Plant’s band.
The charity held other fundraising activities during the weekend including a dinner and sponsored walk.
Plant clearly enjoyed the Market Hall gig and joked with the audience: “This is better than the big time. It’s been a treat to do this – well it was when I got off the bus and knew that Wolves had lost 3-1.”
Afterwards Dunnery paid tribute to Robert Plant who he described as “the biggest star in world.”
“This is a testimony to his humanity that he would agree to come all this way and do this. He is just a great guy.
“I’ve known him for 20 years and love him, we’ve been around the world together. He doesn’t want to be Robert Plant the icon. He’s generous and you’ve seen tonight that he’s still got his feet on the ground.”
Fans had travelled from all over the country for the gig and local were thrilled to have such as legend at Plant in their midst.
Emma Sloan, of Frizington, described it as “surreal”, adding: “We’re big fans of Led Zeppelin, big fans of Page and Plant. We’ve seen him all over the country, so to see him here is amazing.”
Pip Martindale, of Egremont, said: “It has been superb, absolutely superb. We’re very proud that a home town lad like Francis can bring such a legend to Egremont.”
And it wasn’t just rock fans that Robert Plant thrilled during his visit.
Earlier he popped in to Cockermouth and visited Wordsworth House, posing for pictures with the delighted staff.
PUBLISHED October 25, 2015
Published on www.newsandstar.co.uk