News article
Stand Up and Rock raises £168,000 for Crisis
21 December 2011 | Topics: none
The great and the good of the rock and comedy worlds come together for a fantastic evening in aid of Crisis at the HMV Hammersmith Apollo.
Stand Up and Rock was the charity's Christmas fundraiser bringing in around £168,000 and was headlined by rock legend Paul Weller, a longstanding supporter of Crisis.
Ross Noble was the compere while Tim Minchin, Jo Brand and Graham Coxon provided laughter and music on 20 December. The acclaimed Choir With No Name - made up of homeless or vulnerably housed people, including clients of Crisis, who performed for the charity alongside Coldplay in 2010 - opened the show with rousing Christmas classics.
Since 1972 Crisis has provided vital services for homeless and vulnerably housed people and the £168,000 raised so far from the gig will go towards the charity's life- changing services at Crisis at Christmas and its Skylight centres across the country which are open all year-round.
Leslie Morphy, Chief Executive of Crisis, said: "Having such a sensational array of stars perform for Crisis at Stand Up and Rock for our 40th anniversary was incredible. Crisis at Christmas has provided vital services for homeless and vulnerably housed people for 40 years and whilst we should celebrate the lives helped and changed, it is a scandal that homelessness still exists and that we are still needed at all."
Crisis campaigners at the gig also had hundreds of people sign the charity's No One Turned Away petition, calling for the government to strengthen the law so that no one is forced to sleep rough. You can sign the petition here. In addition over £1000 was raised for Crisis Christmas dinners by the Stand Up and Rock audience by texting to donate £1.50.
Comedienne Jo Brand said: "Having volunteered for Crisis myself I know first hand the wonderful work this charity does. All the money raised by the gig will go towards Crisis' life-changing projects at Christmas and year round so I'm proud to have taken part in Stand Up and Rock."