Record breaking year for Live for St Leonard’s

York BID is thrilled to announce that York’s homegrown music festival, Live for St Leonard’s, has broken all previous records, raising a £6,180 for St Leonard’s Hospice during this year’s event.

It brings the total raised for St Leonard’s Hospice, since the events’ inception in 2021, to a whopping £20,316.

Nine days of exceptional live music attracted big crowds around the stages on Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square, in York. The live music entertainment was free to attend as part of the York Food and Drink Festival, and donations were collected by dedicated volunteers from St Leonard’s Hospice.

This year’s line-up included The Supermodels, Jess Gardham, Attention Freaks, Gary Stewart, Bang Bang Bang, The Echoes, Miles & The Chain Gang, In Pictures, Harry Arnison Band, Tri-Starrs, Paisley Flames, The Rusty Pegs, Embers, Accidently Acoustic and many more. In a further amazing show of support for St Leonard’s Hospice, musicians who performed for the crowds also donated £450 to the fundraiser.

 Chris Bush, Business Manager at the York BID, who also performed at Live for St Leonard’s with The Y Street Band, said; “We were thrilled to see such fantastic audience numbers at this year’s event and to hit the milestone of £20,000 raised for St Leonard’s Hospice over 4 years. York Food & Drinks Festival is a high point in York’s events calendar and we’re so pleased that the introduction of live music entertainment has helped extend the event into the early evening. We also want to say a big thank you to all the musicians who have been involved in the festival over the years, who have been essential in its success.”

St Leonard’s Hospice is an independent charity, providing care and support for local people with life limiting illnesses for nearly 40 years. Care is provided free of charge to patients and their families, and fundraising events like Live for St Leonard’s are essential to ensure they can continue to continue their incredible work.

 Annie Keogh, Community Development Fundraiser at St Leonard’s said "We are incredibly grateful for the support of our community during the nine nights of Live for St Leonard’s in York and for raising such an amazing total for the Hospice, surpassing last year’s total! A special thank you goes to The York BID, YorkMix, and City Cruises for organising, hosting, and sponsoring the event, and to all the talented musicians who performed. Every penny raised helps us ensure that local patients and their families receive the care and support they need when they need it most." 

Embedded in the York Food & Drink Festival, Live for St Leonard’s has become a great way to conclude a day of enjoying York’s culinary scene.

Michael Hjort, Director of York Food & Drink Festival, said: “It’s been marvelous to host Live For St Leonard’s for its fourth year running. The event is a hugely valuable initiative for the local community, and I commend the fundraising total achieved by partners since its inception. The York Food & Drink Festival looks forward to welcoming the event at future festivals”.

In 2024, Live for St Leonard’s worked with many organisations across the city, including City Cruises and YorkMix, to create a nine-day programme of live music and entertainment.

 Simon Pattinson, YorkMix New Music Radio Presenter and NorthernRadar gig promoter, said; “It was a brilliant week for live music in York, showcasing the incredible musical talent we have in our fine city. There was a great atmosphere every night, raising money for a fantastic charity that we all know will make a huge difference.”