York’s newest music festival has proved to be a foot-tapping, fundraising success.
Live For St Leonard’s ran across six evenings as part of York Food & Drink Festival 2021 (17-25 September). Twenty-four top music acts performed live in the event marquee on Parliament Street over the course of the festival.
It was free to attend. Every night, Annie Keogh, corporate & community fundraiser for St Leonard’s Hospice and her team of volunteers were on hand to collect donations – and more than £4,000 was raised for St Leonard’s Hospice.
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In previous years, York Mind ran the food festival music programme. But this year the charity was unable to organise it, so the York BID (Business Improvement District) stepped in.
The BID gifted the time of business manager Chris Bush to the project. A musician himself, Chris was able to attract some incredible local acts such as Jonny & The Dunebugs, Gary Stewart, Tri-Starrs, The Moths, Joshua Murray, Smith n Wallace, The Y Street Band, and many more.
Several of the bands and artists who took part kindly donated their fees to the cause – which accounts for £450 of the total raised.
Terrific line-up
Chris was delighted by the total raised, after the BID chose St Leonard’s as the festival charity.
“Live For St Leonard’s was a real success. We had a terrific line-up of talented musicians entertaining food festival visitors every night, and people were hugely generous with their donations,” said Chris.
“It brought a real feel-good spirit to the city centre, and the money raised will go to one of York’s best-loved charities.”
Emma Johnson, chief executive at St Leonard’s Hospice, added: “We are delighted that Chris and the York Food & Drinks Festival chose to support St Leonard’s with this fantastic event.
“It is through the generosity of people in our local community that we can continue to provide the best quality of end of care and support. Every donation really does make a difference to our patients and their families.”
Director of York Food & Drink Festival Michael Hjort said: “The music nights added an extra dimension to the food festival and helped to make this year’s event one of the most successful ever.”