My parents were Working class and they struggled their whole lives, So helping UK's miners felt like a good thing to do so

Springsteen recalls $20k cheque to strikers

- BY ADAM ASPINALL

BRUCE Springsteen has spoken for the first time about his generous donation to British families during the height of the Miners' Strike.

The American rocker had toured the UK in 1985 amid a backdrop of heightened tensions between protesting miners and Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government.

The decision to close numerous pits to save money plunged thousands of families across the North-East into poverty while heavy-handed police tactics often led to violent clashes on the picket lines.

But amidst the darkness Springsteen made a kind gesture which has never been forgotten when he handed over a cheque for $20,000 to women from support groups backstage at a concert at St James' Park in Newcastle.

He said: "My parents were working class people and I watched them struggle their whole lives.

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"I'd been reading about it (the strike) in the newspapers and so it was just something that felt like it would be a good thing to do. It wasn't a big thing, it was just a good thing to do at the time."

Among those invited to see The Boss in concert were Anne Suddick and Juliana Heron, who ran food banks for struggling miners.

Mum-of-three Juliana, whose husband Bob was on the picket line, recalled how it all started.