York’s homegrown music festival, Live for St Leonard’s, has this year broken all previous records.

The event, staged as part of last month’s York Food and Drink Festival, raised £6,180 for St Leonard’s Hospice.

This compared with £5,177.97 last year- which was then a record- and brings  the total to £20,136 since the music festival started in 2021.

The free festival attracted crowds over its nine days and featured stages in Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square in the city centre.

It is organized by York BID, in partnership with YorkMix and sponsored by City Cruises.

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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 addition to the donations collected by volunteers, musicians who performed for the crowds also donated £450 to the fundraiser.

Volunteers with their bucketsVolunteers with their buckets (Image: Pic supplied)

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.”

Large Crowds enjoyed the performancesLarge Crowds enjoyed the performances (Image: Pic supplied)

Annie Keogh, Community Development Fundraiser at St Leonard’s, a 40-year-old hospice charity, also thanked the community and hosts, organisers and sponsors for the support, plus the musicians.

She added: “Every penny raised helps us ensure that local patients and their families receive the care and support they need when they need it most."

Michael Hjort, Director of York Food & Drink Festival, said: “It’s been marvellous 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”.

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.”

To add to the total, go to: https://www.justgiving.com/page/liveforstleonards2024