York’s music fans help raise £5,550 for St Leonard’s Hospice

Nine evenings of live music brought crowds to Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square as Live For St Leonard’s returned for its sixth year.

Organised by York BID in partnership with York Food & Drink Festival, the event featured more than 70 free performances from bands, solo artists and emerging musicians from across York.

Audiences stopped to enjoy the music and donated £5,551.51 to St Leonard’s Hospice, taking the festival’s overall fundraising total to around £31,700 since it began in 2021.

This year’s line-up included The Y Street Band, That Guy Called Si, Bang Bang Bang, Jess Gardham, Melting Pot and Georgette Hilton. York College also took over both stages for an evening, giving its emerging musicians the opportunity to perform in the heart of the city.

Chris Bush, Business Manager at York BID, said: “Each evening, people gathered around the stages, discovered new performers and enjoyed some of the brilliant musical talent we have here in York. The atmosphere across Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square was fantastic.

“Raising £5,551.51 this year – and around £31,700 since Live For St Leonard’s began – shows what can happen when local musicians, businesses, partners and audiences come together. We’re incredibly grateful to York Food & Drink Festival, and everyone who performed, volunteered, donated and helped make the event possible. I would also like to say a special thanks to YorkMix Radio’s Simon Pattison and Ian Donaghy (Big Ian), for donating their time and supporting the fundraising efforts.” 

James Wainwright, Director of Income Generation at St Leonard’s, said, “On behalf of all our patients and their families and carers, thank you so much to York BID and all the artists who performed. This really is York looking after our own. It’s a privilege to be part of such a wonderful community event.”

The nine-day event formed part of York Food & Drink Festival, extending the event into the evening and giving visitors another reason to stay and enjoy the city centre.