After a host of homegrown stars rocked the Europa Hotel in Belfast last weekend, it has been confirmed to the Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Independent that the concert raised £10,000 for Simon’s community in Northern Ireland.
This concert saw local heroes such as Brian Kennedy and Dea Matron perform to raise much needed money for the charity.
Others who delighted the 400-strong crowd included Northern Ireland acts Audran Murphy, Gareth Dunlop, Eddie Booth and Commitment star Andrew Strong.
Headlining act Kennedy said: “Nobody wants to be homeless and we’re putting on a fundraising concert to raise much needed funds and awareness.”
According to Simon Community Executive Director Jim Dennison, the show was vital in highlighting the growing problem of homelessness amid the cost of living crisis.
He said: “In our 50th year, we are seeing homelessness rise as the cost of living forces ordinary people to make worrying choices between heating their homes and feeding their families.
“Now more than ever, we need to raise awareness of homelessness, poverty and the associated health impacts.
“In partnership with Music against homelessness we wanted to give a voice to people affected by homelessness, spotlight those working tirelessly in the sector to bring about change and highlight the impact our charity is having in ending homelessness.
“One of the projects that will help support the money raised is our Making Homes initiative, where we will buy for charity and manage 50 properties for clients who are ready to live independently.”
