TWO friends have joined forces to raise cash for a talented Gornal musician who is battling a brain tumour.

Luke Millard, aged 24, has lived with a brain tumour for the past five years. The tumour causes fluid to build up on his brain which needs to be frequently drained, causing Luke a host of health problems and several operations.

Treatment, which involves the fitting of a shunt into his head to help drain the fluid, has repeatedly been unsuccessful and has failed six times.

Luke, who is a talented musician, is currently in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham recovering from surgery after his most recent shunt failed.

Now, two of his friends, Steve Hall and Michael Dyer, have launched 'Luke Fest' in the bid to raise £5,000 for Luke to receive specialist private treatment and to help with his mental health support.

The event takes place at the Rose and Crown in Brierley Hill and will see performances from local bands including The Empty Can and comedians such as Dolly.

Dynamics Rock and Pop Choir will also be taking to the stage, which is particularly special as it where Steve and Michael first met Luke.

Luke, who is an accountant, runs the popular choir with his partner Jo.

Steve said: "Around lockdown last year he started experiencing problems with the shunt and it failed. From then until now he has had six or seven shunts in his head. Last weekend he had issues and he has had to have surgery again.

"There's hope there for him. The idea with the fundraising is to try and get private treatment for him."

'Luke Fest' will take place on Sunday August 29, 12pm to 8pm at the Bank Street pub and will also feature food from nearby Mexican favourites Buena Comida.

A Go Fund Me page has also been set up to help the friends reach their fundraising target to help Luke.