Amateur rockers including those from Bath have helped raise more than £10,000 to support the search for thousands of missing people across the UK.

The Rock Choir, which has 16,000 members across the country, helped raise £13,000 for the charity Missing People.

The charity attempts to help the 250,000 people who run away or go missing every year and provides support to their loved ones.

In December last year, Rock Choir members across the South West, including Bristol, Bath, Cheltenham, Stroud, Truro, Newquay, Bodmin, Ringwood, Romsey, Salisbury, Christchurch and Fordingbridge held a series of events to raise vital funds.

Among the popular events were “Frothy Cappuccino and a Piece of Cake” coffee and cake sales, based on one of the fun, warm-up vocal exercises Rock Choir leaders carry out at the beginning of every rehearsal.

Just one of the missing people currently being publicised by the charity in the South West is Andrew Steeds who has been missing from Bristol since February 2006.

Martin Houghton-Brown, chief executive of the charity, said: “One of the reasons why our partnership with Rock Choir works so well is the wonderful synergy between our two organisations.

“Rock Choir brings communities together by giving them the common language of music, creating harmony and building relationships. That is why they are such perfect partners, as the charity’s team works day and night to create harmony in families, bringing people together.”

Rock Choir founder and director, Caroline Redman Lusher, said: “At least 20,000 families urgently need support, which is why we want to do as much as we can to make a difference, and Rock Choir members have responded with their usual community spirit and generosity.”

The choir offers children, teenagers and adults the opportunity to sing pop, Motown, gospel and chart songs, without the need to audition, read music, or have any previous singing experience.