Musicians raise £50k for child poverty charity

Thomas Jackson Twenty people - performers at a concert - smile at the camera. They are a mix of men and women, two people are holding microphones and one a guitar. A large crowd of fans can be seen behind them. Thomas Jackson
The concert, at the Fire Station in Sunderland, attracted a sell-out crowd

Local musicians have joined forces to raise more than £50,000 for a charity tackling child poverty in Sunderland.

A large concert - involving more than 10 bands - was held at the Fire Station earlier this month.

Organisers said £51,955 had been raised - more than any other single charity event in the city's history.

The money has been given to the Love, Amelia charity which helps local children and their families access essential supplies.

'Incredible'

The sell-out gig included performances from The Futureheads and Paul Smith of Maximo Park.

Others took to the stage to perform classic songs by music legends.

Some very much dressed the part, with fans being treated to appearances from "Elton John", "David Bowie", "Queen" and "Madonna".

Steph Capewell, founder of the Love, Amelia charity, said: "Music Against Child Poverty was a powerful moment when two worlds collided: music and community coming together for an incredible show of support.

"This wasn't just about raising money but also raising awareness of the critical issue of child poverty and uniting to make a real difference.

"Sunderland proved that it's not just a music city, it's a city of compassion, support, and action."

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