YORK singer-songwriter Alistair Griffin will perform three shows in support of the Trussell Trust Foodbank Network next week.

In between concerts at Chiswick, London, on Tuesday and Salford Sacred Trinity Church on Friday, he will play Holy Trinity Church, in Boar Lane, Leeds, on the night of Thursday, December 11.

“I’m asking anyone attending the shows to bring non-perishable food – tins, dried pasta etc – to contribute to the increasingly important work that the Trussell Trust does in providing emergency food supplies for families and individuals experiencing financial difficulties,” says Alistair, who already has raised more than one tonne of food for the charity from five gigs on his Foodbank Tour in August.

He is also encouraging ticket holders to give donations on the night to help the Trussell Trust to respond to the marked increase in people visiting foodbanks throughout Britain.

“Times are hard and, for some people, that means a daily struggle for the things that a lot of us take for granted. Next week it would great to raise as much as we can to help, especially at this time of year,” he says.

The Tour de Christmas dates cap a memorable year for Alistair, who participated prominently in the Le Grand Départ celebrations for the Tour de France, writing the first official Tour song, The Road, a duet he recorded and performed with Girls Aloud’s Kimberley Walsh at the opening ceremony. His album From Nowhere followed in the autumn.

At the Leeds leg of the tour, he will be supported by The Voice star Beth McCarthy, also from York, and the official Tour Maker Choir, made up of volunteers who helped to make this summer’s Le Grand Départ a reality. Look out for a cycling spin to proceedings too, for which Leeds audience members will be selected to take part in a mini-trike race to celebrate the year the Tour came to Yorkshire.

“Performing at the Tour de France opening ceremony in front of a sell-out crowd and a worldwide TV audience was a real pinch-me moment,” says Alistair.

“It’s just one of many fond and at times surreal memories I have of this year; these December gigs are about sharing that as well as some of my new music. We’ve added a cycling twist and think it might be the world’s first gig which involves a trike race. Who knows? It’s our little nod to an historic summer for Yorkshire and for the whole country.”

And so, after a busy 12 months of writing, recording, cycling, performing, crazy golfing, bowling and curd manufacturing, Alistair is rounding off the year by reliving the memories of the summer, performing songs from From Nowhere and old favourites. Expect the usual Griffin banter, probably some Christmas pantomime references and the inevitable sing-song.

Doors open at 8pm for the 9pm start and tickets cost £15 online at thelittleboxoffice.com/alistairgriffin and alistairgriffin.com. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.