Proms at St Jude's in Hampstead Garden Suburb raises £60k for charity

The glorious summer weather prompted hundreds of people to flock to the annual Proms at St Jude's, which was marking its 18th year at Church of St Jude-on-the-Hill, in Central Square.

The nine-day midsummer music festival offered a range of performances from classical to jazz artists, as well as heritage walks and afternoon concerts for school children.

Television personality and Hampstead Garden Suburb resident Jonathan Ross introduced a concert of 'music from the silver screen' last Wednesday, which was performed by the BBC Elstree Concert Band.

Susie Gregson, the Proms' founder, said: “This has been a glorious music festival and week of fun with the purpose of bringing music to audiences new and old.

“Festivals like ours bring business to the local community too. Engaging with a feel good factor event like the Proms is positive for a socially responsible business and I believe our ethos could be replicated elsewhere in Britain.”

Organisers said they raised about £60,000, up almost 50 per cent on last year, which will be split between two charities. East London based support charity Toynbee Hall will receive 75 per cent of the money to help with a project to help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The rest of the money will go to North London Hospice, based in North Finchley, which cares for people with terminal illnesses.

The funds were raised through ticket sales, sponsorship and advertising, and all the volunteers involved in running the festival are already making plans for next year's event.

Susie said: “We sense the wonderful appreciation from our audience and I know many describe Proms as ‘our local festival’.

“That’s great and exactly how we want people to feel – but we cannot be complacent. We have much work to do to ensure we have a successful festival next year and can continue to impact positively on the work done at Toynbee Hall and North London Hospice.”