A STRANGLERS fan is auctioning off a cymbal signed by the band’s drummer to fundraise for a cancer charity that his disabled wife volunteers for.

Jeff Curnock was given the cymbal by Jet Black, the drummer of legendary new wave punk band the Stranglers, famous for their hits Golden Brown and Peaches.

Bids for the auction, which is set to close on March 28, have so far reached £275, and the money raised will go towards cancer charity Look Good, Feel Better which visits hospitals to provide female cancer patients with makeovers and workshops with trained volunteers.

Life-long fan Jeff met Jet’s wife Ava at a Stranglers gig and the couple agreed to donate the cymbal. The 53-year-old from Royal Wootton Bassett said: “Jet has had this in his possession since the early to mid 80s – It is a Zildjian Medium thin Crash Cymbal and is unplayed.

“Jet agreed to give us the cymbal, as long as it was auctioned off for charity for a good cause, so he has signed it for the winner.”

Jeff was inspired to hold the auction after seeing his wife, make-up artist Tracey, 42, volunteering with the charity and coping with her own disability.

Tracey suffers from Ehlers-Danlos syndrome which affects connective tissue around the body. Those affected experience pain walking, unstable joints and may require a wheelchair. She has had two hip replacements and walks with sticks.

Jeff said: “People look and wonder if she is disabled because she doesn’t look it, so this is about raising awareness as well as money.

"It’s horrible to watch someone you love in pain. I’m trying to turn something negative into something positive.”

Tracey enjoys her work with the charity and visits the Great Western Hospital regularly to volunteer.

She said: “It’s working with women to give them that confidence back, they look forward to it and so do I.’’

Even the couples’ two children, Elliana, 9 and Amelia, 11, have got in on the fundraising action by raising £10 for Look Good, Feel Better.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/charityauctioninblack or to bid email auctioninblack@yahoo.co.uk