Big Payback day has a very important place on the Cherry Lodge Cancer Care calendar. It is the occasion when Summer Soulstice crew members give Cherry Lodge representatives a big cheque showing the total raised for us at the annual Summer Soulstice festival. Cherry Lodge is immensely grateful to Summer Soulstice for their ongoing support, helping us keep our much needed cancer information and support services completely free of charge.
This year’s Big Payback event was held as usual on August Bank Holiday Sunday (27th August 2023) at the Black Horse pub in Barnet. Supporters of Summer Soulstice and Cherry Lodge Cancer Care were treated to an 8-hour-long, free session of soulful grooves, funky jams and bank holiday beats, masterfully delivered by Soulstice DJs. Cherry Lodge staff and volunteers (easily identifiable in their blue CL t-shirts) were very much in evidence.
The 2023 Summer Soulstice festival, held on Saturday 24th June 2023, was another fabulous success. Around 3,200 attendees flocked to OE Memorial Fields, Barnet in glorious sunshine to enjoy great music and family fun. The organisers ensured that everything ran like clockwork and this year’s event raised a very impressive £50,000.
The symbolic handing over to Cherry Lodge Cancer Care of the money raised at the Summer Soulstice festival is at the centre of the traditional August Bank Holiday gathering at the Black Horse. Jamie Farquharson began the proceedings and the raffle was drawn. Dave James, chairman of Summer Soulstice, thanked everyone for their contributions to this year’s great success. Also representing Summer Soulstice was Richard Weekes, brother of Andy, in whose memory the festival is held every year. Special recognition was given this year to Jamie Topham, who was presented with the first Summer Soulstice Life-time Award for his massive contribution to the festival’s success, from its beginnings until last year when Jamie decided it was time to take a back seat. On behalf of Cherry Lodge, chairman Margaret Clark gave heartfelt thanks to Summer Soulstice, emphasising that they are by far the biggest financial supporter of our charity. As in previous years, Barnet MP Theresa Villiers also spoke at this event, expressing her support for Summer Soulstice and Cherry Lodge.
Summer Soulstice has been supporting Cherry Lodge since their first festival in 2007, and this year’s cheque takes their donation total to a phenomenal £530,000+. CL trustees and staff are very aware that it requires a huge commitment of time and effort to put on such a great festival, especially in challenging times. The organisers have succeeded way beyond any expectations. Thank you very much indeed to everyone involved.
Summer Soulstice 2024 is scheduled to take place on Saturday 22nd June. We look forward to seeing you then!
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