THEY shook, they rattled, they rolled and they have now raised nearly £10,000 for charity at just four gigs.

Not bad for a bunch of old Swindon rockers who decided they weren’t quite ready for the pipe and slippers.

In the past couple of weeks, Rockers Reunited performed at two packed venues to raise cash for the Swindon Therapy Centre for Multiple Sclerosis (STCFMS.) More than 300 people turned up for their Rock ‘n’ Roll Bonanza at Stratton Community Leisure Centre.

Despite an average age of 70 the six-piece veterans performed three sets, including all 22 tracks from their recently recorded CD, along with other choice nuggets from the Golden Age of Rock’n’Roll.

“The dance floor was full throughout the night. We got a great reception from a really enthusiastic audience with calls for encores even after we had been on-stage for so long,” said bass guitarist Nigel Norman.

Playing for the sheer hell of it, as well as to raise money for a leading Swindon charity, the group whipped-up more than £4,000 for STCFMS.

The following week Rockers Reunited played a sold-out show at The Southbrook Inn, Gorse Hill, raising a further £800 for the charity.

Sales of the Rockers Reunited CD should push up the total by around £1,000, said Nigel.

The latest shows followed a couple of earlier gigs – one to mark STCFMS’s 30th anniversary and the other in aid of the Prospect Hospice which cares for terminally ill people in the Swindon area.

Over four shows attended by almost 1,000 people, Rockers Reunited raised more than £9,000.

Retired telecommunications engineer Nigel, 70, said: “I think this is a truly remarkable achievement for a bunch of old rockers.”

The band are now looking for more fund raisinggigs.

“I think the next series of shows will go to a different local charity, so that the money is spread around a little,” he said.

Rockers Reunited are Dave King (vocals) Ray Stratford (drums) Geoff Exton (keyboards) Neil Pike (rhythm guitar) Keith Hart (lead guitar) and Nigel on bass.

During the late Fifties and early Sixties they tore up Swindon’s rock’n’roll scene as members of The Strykneens, The Sonics, Vince & The Vigilantes, The Satellites, The Sapphires, Clive & The Cyclones, The Strangers, Power Four and The Off-beats.

Almost half-a-century later they last year got together for a one-off show and, despite creaking bones and further effects of the ravages of time they were thrilled, and perhaps a little surprised that they could still rock.

Earlier this year they recorded a CD of some of their favourite tunes such as Summertime Blues, Shakin’ All Over and All Shook Up.

Nigel said: “We are keen to carry on and hopefully will be able to raise further money for charity at future gigs.

“So if there's someone out there who wants organise an event to raise some cash for a deserving charity we would like to hear from them.”

CDs can be purchased online from the band’s website: www.RockersRe-United.com.

Rockers Reunited can also be contacted at 01793 771533 or 01753 867985