A music festival has raised more than £270,000 for hospice care.
Woo Fest, a family-friendly event run by siblings Ria and Luke Simons and a team of volunteers, has raised a total of £270,784.77 for St Richard’s Hospice.
The event was launched in 2015 in memory of their father John, who received care at the hospice before he died.
Ria Simons said: “A quarter of a million pounds has been smashed, and that’s all because of an amazing community coming together for a cause that means so much to so many.
“Everyone gives their time, talent and energy to Woo Fest simply because they want to make a difference.
“It’s a truly beautiful thing.”
Woo Fest 2026 crowd (Image: Andy Dawson, Spectrum Photography)
Now an award-winning event, Woo Fest has grown from humble beginnings in a field in Upton upon Severn into a nationally recognised festival, earning the title of the UK’s Best Small Festival at the National Festival Awards in 2019 and 2022.
Luke Simons said: “There are many ordinary people doing extraordinary things to raise money for the wonderful St Richard’s Hospice, while putting on the best weekend we possibly can.
“Thank you to every single person who bought a ticket, came along, danced, sang, chilled out and donated.
“Quite simply, this wouldn’t happen without you.
“We’ll see you all next year.”
Abby Holliday, director of business and income generation at St Richard’s Hospice, said: “Ria and Luke have raised an incredible amount, especially for a charity like us that relies on our community to help raise 80 per cent of the £12million it costs to keep our services running each year.
“We couldn’t be more grateful to them for choosing to turn their own experience of loss into help and support for those who need us, including bereaved children.”
St Richard’s Hospice provides free, specialist care for adults in Worcestershire living with serious, life-limiting illnesses, as well as support for their families and carers.
The hospice supports more than 3,000 patients and relatives each year and relies heavily on charitable donations, fundraising events, and gifts in wills to fund its services.