Popular St Albans charity fundraiser hits almost £35,000 over ten years

Musicians playing at St Albans Band Aid. Picture: Dene Rosewarn (Image: Archant)

Every year since 2009, Dene Rosewarn has organised a Band Aid busking day in St Albans city centre in aid of Rennie Grove Hospice Care and one other charity - which has included Keech Hospice Care and Camphill Village Trust.

About nine musicians perform for passers-by during the day long event, with bucket collectors raising cash.

Apart from year one, which took place by St Albans Clock Tower, the event has been stationed outside Ladbrokes on St Peter’s Street. Each year the betting shop has also contributed towards the causes.

Dene has only just totalled the event’s ten-year takings - it comes to almost £35,000.

Musicians playing at St Albans Band Aid. Picture: Dene Rosewarn (Image: Archant)

The 2018 event raised £2,529, which includes a £1,000 donation from Ladbrokes.

Dene said: “The more we raise, the more worthwhile I feel the event is. The whole ethos of St Albans Band Aid is that every single penny we raise goes to the charities.

“It is glorified busking; it is all outside, there is no stage, no lighting, therefore no overheads. It is just great, live music.”

Elvis Shmelvis, a St Albans tribute act to The King of Rock and Roll, has performed at the Band Aid event every single year.

Musicians playing at St Albans Band Aid. Picture: Dene Rosewarn (Image: Archant)

The 2019 Band Aid, which will take place in September, will be in aid of Rennie Grove Hospice Care and Earthworks St Albans - a charity which provides horticultural training for people with learning disabilities.

Dene decided to support the centre after meeting a man who suffered significant memory loss after a bike accident, who spoke glowingly about how the charity has supported him.

Find out more about Rennie Grove Hospice at www.renniegrove.orgVisit www.earthworksstalbans.co.uk to find out more about Earthworks St Albans.