Big Busk raises £7,500 for Shrewsbury Ark

The event, which took place on 6 April, saw musicians fill the streets of Shrewsbury before taking over a number of venues in Frankwell during the night.

Around £1,000 was raised during the evening event – double the amount raised in previous years.

The Big Busk has now raised more than £40,000 for Shrewsbury Ark since it was first held in 2013.

Karen Paterson, from The Big Busk organising team, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the total from this year’s event. We want to say a huge thank you to all the musicians who gifted their time to play throughout the day, the volunteers who helped to make the day such a success and, of course, everyone who came out to clap, cheer, sing along and donate.

“We also want to say a really big thank you to the venues that hosted our night time ‘Frankwell Takeover’ - The Wheatsheaf, The Boathouse, The Pourhouse, Ye Olde Buck’s Head Inn and In Good Hands Café – and the wonderful acts who hosted each of the events.

“Finally, we also want to say a huge thank you to our sponsors – Press Red Rentals event equipment hire, Buttonbury Bags, Dave Bennett Goalkeeping Schools, St. Locks locksmiths, Shrewsbury Taxis, TCA Accountants and the 2019 Dyslexia Awards – who cover our costs so that the money we raise on the day goes towards the important work that Shrewsbury Ark does.”

The Big Busk is held in memory of talented musician, poet and artist Ben Bebbington, who died after an unprovoked attack in 2012. It raises money for, and awareness of, Shrewsbury Ark, a centre for homeless and vulnerable people in Shrewsbury, which meant a great deal to Ben.