A charity gig has raised £600 to support a 10-year-old’s bid to walk independently following major surgery.

Jack Gower, of Stotfold Road in Hitchin, has spastic paraplegic cerebral palsy, which means his limbs are extremely stiff.

In July, he had an operation at Great Ormond Street Hospital to sever the nerves carrying signals to the brain which cause the muscles to permanently tighten.

Jack, a pupil at Hitchin’s Highover JMI School, needs intensive physiotherapy for two years to give him the best chance of walking independently, and the Gower family have set up fundraising initiative ‘Jack’s Wish to Walk’ to help pay for this vital treatment.

Rock and metal cover band Strontium Dog played at Club 85 on Whinbush Road in Hitchin on Friday for the cause because members of the band have a relative who goes to school with Jack.

Strontium Dog had a three-piece brass section, backing singers called the Hairy Spiders, and were supported by Black Sabbath tribute band Drag Sabbath.

Strontium Dog band member Lee Milner said: “The gig went very well. We had 103 people through the door, which is an amazing attendance.

“Drag Sabbath started the night off and got the crowd going and we followed. The atmosphere was really special.

“The donation bucket went round and everybody was so generous.

“I must thank Drag Sabbath, Strontium Dog, Club 85, Terry and the Trumpets, the Hairy Spiders and every single person who came to support the evening. So many of the community got involved.”

Jack’s mum, Ella, said: ““We are incredibly grateful.” Jack is now walking with single sticks outdoors and walking independently indoors. The money raised at the gig will be put towards buying a rowing machine to facilitate his recovery.