The organisers of the third edition of My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad Festival, held in collaboration with South Swindon Parish Council, this week handed over a substantial cheque amounting to £9,537.75 to the dedicated staff at Prospect Hospice.
Taking place at The Old Town Bowl on a rain-drenched Saturday, in July, the festival attracted approximately 800 resilient attendees throughout the day. Despite the challenging weather, the local music scene showcased its finest talents, featuring acts such as Kova Me Badd, Imperial Leisure, and The Real Cheesemakers. The event aimed to raise crucial funds for Prospect Hospice, paying tribute to the late Dave Young, former landlord of The Victoria and 12 Bar, who passed away in June 2021 at the hospice.
The festival also collaborated with Swindon Paint Fest, offering a creative space that featured live painting by six exceptional local artists. The resulting artworks will soon be auctioned, contributing further to the fundraising efforts.
Gemma Denley-Doswell, co-organiser of the festival, expressed her elation, stating, “We are absolutely delighted with the amount raised, which, despite the awful weather on the day, has surpassed last year’s total. We love working with the team at Prospect Hospice and are aiming to raise an even bigger total for them next year!”
Prospect Hospice, situated in Wroughton, provides palliative and end-of-life care for individuals across the region, relying heavily on fundraising to cover its operational costs. My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad Festival has, over its first three years, contributed over £32,000 to Prospect Hospice.
Sheryl Crouch, Head of Income at the hospice, extended gratitude, saying, “Donations such as this one make a significant difference in enabling us to continue supporting our patients and their families and provide care tailored to their needs free of charge.”
The cheque presentation was attended by Sanjay Badhan and Ana Marques from Old Town’s Future Planning, headline sponsors for the second consecutive year. Sanjay expressed, “Prospect Hospice provides truly outstanding services, and it’s a privilege to help raise money for such a worthy cause.”
Sponsors of MDBTYD Festival 2023, including Anytime Fitness, Imagine Cruising, Leightons Opticians, and Lewis Farrant Floor Layer, played a crucial role in the event’s success.
Part of the venue fee paid to South Swindon Parish Council has been allocated to support the upkeep of the Old Town Bowl.
Looking ahead, the organisers are gearing up for MDBTYD 2024, scheduled for Saturday, 20th July 2024, with several music acts already confirmed. Stay tuned for updates on My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad Festival’s social media channels.
Early Bird tickets for the 2024 event are now available via the website mydadsbiggerthanyourdad.co.uk.
