Newcastle’s largest foodbank has praised the generosity of Sam Fender fans, who donated thousands of pounds at last weekend’s huge St James’ Park concerts.
Music lovers who packed out the stadium last Friday and Saturday gave more than £3,000 to help some of the city’s most vulnerable as they enjoyed an incredible weekend on Tyneside. The donations surpassed expectations for staff at the West End Foodbank, whose team of 12 to 14 volunteers were out collecting ahead of the Geordie star’s two homecoming concerts.
The charity always has a strong presence outside St James’ Park, with donations coming through the NUFC Fans Foodbank on matchdays, but the double bill of sell-out gigs last weekend has provided a welcome summer boost now that the Premier League season has finished. In total, the foodbank raised £3,113.47 over the two days and was given a special mention in the official concert programme too.
Read More: Sam Fender delivers £15m boost for Newcastle as city revels in iconic Geordie weekend
West End Foodbank chief executive John McCorry said: "It was fantastic to partner with Sam for what was a special couple of nights on Tyneside. Through the generosity of people across the city we are able to continue the vital work of helping local people through difficult times."
The foodbank had announced the partnership with Sam Fender last month, continuing links with the North Shields singer-songwriter after he paid a visit to its headquarters in December 2021 to meet volunteers and help pack food parcels.
More than 100,000 people filled St James’ Park across Friday and Saturday night, in a historic weekend for Newcastle that coincided with the Blaydon Race. Business chiefs have estimated that the events delivered a £15m economic boost for the city’s economy.
Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah said: "Will we talk about that Sam Fender gig for years to come? You are absolutely sure of that. Culturally, the event showed why Newcastle is a beacon of artistic creativity with so much of our cultural heritage on show from Greggs to AC/DC - with estimated millions brought into the local economy.
“A massive thank you to everyone who worked through the night to bring these shows to the city, including all the volunteers - without them the show would never have taken place."
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