Northern Ireland

Ash bassist strings bracelets for Cancer Focus NI

Mark Hamilton, left, with band mates Tim Wheeler and Rick McMurray
Mark Hamilton, left, with band mates Tim Wheeler and Rick McMurray Mark Hamilton, left, with band mates Tim Wheeler and Rick McMurray

ASH musician Mark Hamilton is putting old guitar strings to good use by weaving them into bracelets to raise cash for a cancer charity supporting his mother.

The bassist from Downpatrick is making 45 customised bass string bracelets, souvenirs from the band’s concerts, and selling them for Cancer Focus NI.

He chose the charity because his mum Miriam is battling breast cancer for a third time. The charity aims to raise £100,000 to fund pioneering local breast cancer research at Queen’s University Belfast.

"Making the bracelets is kind of a team effort," said Mr Hamilton.

"The strings are authentic, played at ASH shows.

"I change them every day on tour and keep them as they’re used. Previously the strings were tossed away, and would have ended up in landfill.

"It’s good to know they can now have a purpose beyond the stage."

Mr Hamilton weaves the strings into a bracelet and his father Neil solders them together.

"He kind of makes what as an ugly joint into something that resembles a metal pearl which works well," he said.

"My girlfriend Becca is designing authenticity cards which will be packaged with them, with details of the date, venue and city that they were played in."

His mother Miriam, one of the founder members of the Cancer Focus NI support group, said: "Mark has been saving his guitar strings and the band did a big tour last summer.

"He told me he was going to make the bracelets and said he would donate the proceeds to whatever I wanted."

She said Cancer Focus NI had "given me fantastic support over the years and I have made many friends who were going through tough times".

Details about when the bangles will go on sale will be posted on the Ash and Mr Hamilton's social media pages.