Festival raises cash in memory of Joe
MUSIC festival organisers have donated £400 to a charity supporting homeless people in Hinckley and dedicated the gift to a friend.
Emmaus Leicestershire and Rutland was chosen to benefit from proceeds of the third annual Roystonbury festival, held in Burbage, in memory of former John Cleveland College student , 24-year-old Joe Branson from Hinckley, who died in a motor scooter accident in the Philippines last August.
The festival was first held in 2015 as a surprise birthday celebration for villager Roy Collinson but is now run on a ticket-sale basis as an annual event.
Emmaus Leicestershire and Rutland provides a home, at Elm Lea on Leicester Road, Hinckley, support and work for 16 formerly homeless individuals who help to run charity shops the Emporium on Stockwell Head in the town and La Boutique on Castle Street.
Roystonbury co-founder Alison Attenborrow said: “One of the main reasons for choosing Emmaus was that we wanted this year’s donation to be in memory of our friend’s son Joe Branson, who sadly died recently in a motorcycle accident.
“He was the kind of lad who always seemed to look out for people a bit down on their luck, so we felt he would have approved of us helping Emmaus.
“We also asked everyone who came to the festival to bring along non-perishable food items and toiletries which we donated to Emmaus to be given to local foodbanks.”
Jodie Dixon, support manager at Emmaus Leicestershire and Rutland said: “We are truly grateful for the donation.
“It is support like this that makes all the difference, ensuring we can continue our vital work helping those who have experienced homelessness.”
To find out more about the charity visit www.emmaus.org. uk/leicestershire_rutland