The organisers of This is Tomorrow Festival have presented a cheque to the Graham Wylie Foundation as it looks to help fund a pioneering music therapy centre in the region.
The Newcastle-based SSD Concerts, who recently oversaw the region’s largest ever outdoor musical event, This is Tomorrow, on Exhibition Park in the city, has said it is thrilled to donate almost £5,500 to the cause and has thanked music lovers in the North East for their contributions across the three-day event.
Last year, music superstar Sting officially opened the brand new music therapy centre on Tyneside – the first of its kind outside of London.
The centre, located at the former matron’s lodge at Newcastle’s Fleming Hospital, is funded by the Graham Wylie Foundation and is run by the highly-skilled Nordoff Robbins music therapists who are currently delivering life changing music therapy to young people free of charge.
Reacting to today’s cheque presentation, Angie, CEO of the Graham Wylie Foundation “Music helps young disadvantaged people in so many ways and the funds raised at This is Tomorrow Festival will significantly help support the operational and maintenance costs at the centre.
“From small gigs to massive outdoor festivals, SSD Concerts are making every note count in helping the youth of the North East, be it through funds raised for the Foundation to inspiring the songwriters of tomorrow.
“Having partners like SSD Concerts demonstrates how the North East is the best place on Earth for collaboration. This is Tomorrow Festival was an awesome event in more ways that one and we’re looking forward to being part of its legacy in the region.”
This is Tomorrow, which welcomed over 30,000 people through its gates in May and saw memorable performances from the likes of Noel Gallagher and Stereophonics is expected to make a return next year after it was estimated that the event generated an estimated £6m for the region’s economy.
SSD Concert’s Managing Director, Steve Davis, added: “It’s great that This is Tomorrow didn’t only prove to be a great weekend for the people of the region, but it will continue to have a positive impact on vulnerable young people who need help and support.
“All of the money raised will stay right here in the North East and Graham has been generous enough to cover all of the charity’s expenses.
“Having previously worked in healthcare, I fully appreciate how music therapy can help people and there aren’t many charities nowadays where 100% of the money donated is used for the cause.”
