Swindon’s beloved all-day music festival, My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad, has once again proven its fundraising power, bringing in nearly £11,500 for Prospect Hospice at last summer’s event. This latest contribution pushes the festival’s total donation past £40,000 since its inception.
Held at Old Town Bowl on Saturday 20th July 2024, in partnership with South Swindon Parish Council, the event saw around 1,000 people come together for a day of live music and family-friendly entertainment. The festival was originally established to honour the late Dave Young, a well-known local music promoter and former landlord of The Victoria and 12 Bar. Dave passed away in June 2021 following a battle with cancer and received care from Prospect Hospice during his final days.
Jeremy Lune, CEO of Prospect Hospice, highlighted the importance of community support: “Prospect Hospice provides crucial palliative and end-of-life care to those who need it most. The generosity of our community makes this possible, and it is truly inspiring to see so many people come together to support us.”
For Dave Young’s family, the hospice’s care meant everything. His widow and festival co-organiser, Anna Sprawson, shared: “Without Prospect Hospice, what was already an incredibly difficult time would have been even harder. Their support allowed me to be Dave’s wife again, rather than just his carer.”
The 2024 festival, sponsored for the third consecutive year by Future Planning, featured 16 live performances across two stages. Acts included local favourites SN Dubstation, Gaz Brookfield and The Company of Thieves, and The Chaos Brothers – one of Dave Young’s own bands. Additional sponsors included Holmes Music, The Tuppenny, Lewis Farrant Floor Layer, and Funky Corner Radio.
Sanjay from Future Planning expressed pride in supporting the event: “Prospect Hospice touches so many lives, and it’s a privilege to help such a worthy cause. Their team is always friendly and dedicated, and we hope they can continue their incredible work for years to come.”
In addition to raising money for the hospice, part of the festival’s venue fee will contribute to the upkeep of the Old Town Bowl, an iconic 1930s art deco amphitheatre.
Looking Ahead to 2025
Organisers are already looking forward to My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad Festival 2025, set to take place on Saturday 26th July. Discounted early bird tickets are now available at mydadsbiggerthanyourdad.co.uk.
For updates, follow My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad Festival on social media and get ready for another fantastic year of live music, community spirit, and fundraising for a truly vital cause.
