Hard Rock International today announce the launch of “Pinktober” – a month-long initiative to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research through a series of live music gigs featuring Beverley Knight, Starsailor, Melanie C and Roadrunner’s STAIND.

For the second year running, Hard Rock Cafes in the U.K. will donate proceeds to The Caron Keating Foundation, which offers financial support and grants to all types of cancer charities, professional carers, complimentary healing practitioners, as well as individuals and families who are affected by the disease.

Those who benefit range from hospices, professional carers and all types of support groups.

Founder of the foundation, Gloria Hunniford… “I am so thrilled that Hard Rock Cafe has chosen to support the Caron Keating Foundation again. We are very much a family run organisation, with our only expense being a part-time secretary. We have all in our working lives been involved in the music industry. Caron used to present a television rock programme as well as hosting occasionally ‘Top of the Pops’, and I know, she would truly approve of ‘Pinktober’ and how many people dealing with cancer will be helped through your efforts in raising money, in her name.”

Hard Rock’s ‘Pinktober’, which started out as ‘Rocktober’ in Europe in 2005 and grew into a global campaign, brings some of the world’s best live music to small and intimate surroundings. The series of events support local breast cancer charities across the world, and proceeds from each event throughout the month goes to the chosen charities. Last year saw Wet Wet Wet, Ghosts, Nerina Pallot, Lil’ Chris and Ross Copperman all perform for this worthy cause and this year’s line up is set to be just as exciting.

Kick starting the Pinktober series on SEPTEMBER 17TH will be STAIND, whose single ‘It’s Been A While’ was a Number 1 single on the Billboard charts and whose 10 year career has garnered 12 million album sales worldwide. Their last three albums debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Album Chart, earning their place as one of the most successful rock bands of the new millennium, with sixth studio album The Illusion Of Progress out Monday.

Tickets go on sale Friday 5 September and are available through TICKETWEB, or for London shows only, by calling Hard Rock Cafe London on 0207 514 1700. Tickets for Staind and priced at