MUSICIANS have raised £1,000 for TeenTalk while performing on the streets during lockdown.

Jimmy Monahan, 41, and his brother Tom Monahan, 43, formed the Wash Your Hands Brass Band on Easter Sunday and have done more than 30 gigs since in Harwich and Manningtree.

The brothers, of King’s Head Street, Harwich, originally played music for their neighbours to lift spirits up, but after joining Harwich Helps, soon got requests to attend birthdays or wedding anniversaries in exchange for donations.

Jimmy Monahan, a professional jazz player who found himself unemployed when the pandemic hit said they decided to donate half of their income to the charity.

He said: “The reason we chose this charity is because depression is a huge problem among all levels of society but young people are our future and preventing depression in young people can avoid it becoming an issue later in their life.

“Depression is a personal issue for me from my past, so supporting this particular charity is very important.

“People have been generous, and this has been very helpful for us as it has given us a goal, and an opportunity to carry on doing what I love and also to get a little bit of income.”

The band also started a community musical event, which is taking place every Sunday morning at Cliff Park, Dovercourt, from 11am.

The morale-boosting event has grown to involve about 13 musicians and residents have been invited to join in.

To book a performance with the band visit bit.ly/2NwjoUv.