My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad Festival raised nearly £9,000 for Prospect Hospice

The team behind all-day music extravaganza the My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad Festival have delivered their event round-up.

They have revealed that nearly £9,000 has been raised for Prospect Hospice following this year’s event.

MDBTYD 2023, organised in association with South Swindon Parish Council, was held at The Old Town Bowl on Saturday 22 July, with around 800 people braving the rain throughout the day.

This was the third year of the festival, which was organised to raise much-needed funds for Prospect Hospice in tribute to Dave Young, the former landlord of The Victoria and 12 Bar, who died in early June 2021 at the hospice after a hard-fought battle against cancer.

Prospect Hospice, based in Wroughton, provides palliative and end of life care for people across the region and has to raise the majority of its costs through fundraising.

Sheryl Crouch, Head of Income at the hospice, said: “My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad is a real celebration of our community and an event that Prospect Hospice is proud to be a part of.

“The story of local music promoter Dave Young and the support he and his family received from the hospice is reflected in this event through its energy, varied line up of bands and array of entertainment throughout the day, all supported by many local sponsors and volunteers. The event is a true community collaboration, much like the hospice.

“The event has raised an amazing £30,000 so far and this will be used by the hospice to ensure other local people like Dave can benefit from outstanding care at the end of their lives. 

"We want to thank everyone involved in making the day happen, and all those who attend, for their ongoing support and ensuring we can be there to support further families that need us.

“The date is already set for next year and we can’t wait to be part of it.”

My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad Festival 2023, which had the support of Future Planning as its headline sponsor for the second year running, took place over two stages with 16 acts performing on the Old Town Bandstand acoustic stage and the main stage in the Old Town Bowl.

Some of the best acts of the local music scene came together to support the event, including Kova Me Badd, Imperial Leisure and The Real Cheesemakers.

The festival also collaborated with Swindon Paint Fest, who hosted an area of creativity which included live painting from six fantastic local artists, with the resulting artworks to be auctioned off in the near future.

Co-organiser Ed Dyer said: “I’ve got to say that yet again we have been blown away by the support Swindon showed to our one-day festival. Sadly, the sunshine of the previous years evaded us but the atmosphere was still terrific with people dancing in the rain and leaving with massive smiles on their faces.

"The precise figure is to be confirmed but we couldn’t be more pleased that we are going to be able to donate almost £9000 to Prospect.”

Sponsors of MDBTYD Festival 2023 also included Anytime Fitness, Imagine Cruising, Leightons Opticians and Lewis Farrant Floor Layer.

Part of the fee paid to South Swindon Parish Council to use the venue has been put aside to help raise money for the upkeep of the Old Town Bowl.

After a well earned break, the organisers of the festival are now planning for MDBTYD 2024, with the date set for Saturday 20 July. 

Further updates can be obtained by following My Dad’s Bigger Than Your Dad Festival on social media.

Early tickets for next year’s event are on sale via the website mydadsbiggerthanyourdad.co.uk