A MUSIC festival has raised more than £150,000 for good causes, with more than £30,000 going directly to projects in the area.

Boomtown Fair, which is held annually in August at the Matterley Estate, near Winchester, raised a total of £152,624.67 at this year's event.

Organisers say helping the community "has always been a large part of Boomtown’s ethos", and this year's main partner was Winnall Rock School, which works directly with young people and their families in Winchester.

The organisation is set to receive £6,266, funded from an optional £2 donation festival-goers made when they bought tickets. This will fund free music tuition and band workshops to help youngsters find ways to express themselves and build confidence.

Paul Pounsford, chairman of trustees at Winnall Rock School, said: “Winnall Rock School is delighted to have received this funding.

"The money will be used to provide a programme of free music making workshops to young people who would not normally have access to this opportunity. Our members loved

participating in the creative workshops and special sessions run by Boomtown both before and during the festival and we are very grateful for the support that Boomtown is providing.”

Other groups boosted by the cash, which was also raised through collections, include parish council's in the Winchester district; Winnall Primary School; and Southampton's The Rose Road Association and Winchester Go LD, charities that support people with learning disabilities. £120,873.67 was raised for a host of national and international charities.

Organisers also confirmed Winchester Action on Climate Change (WinACC) would be the festival's local charity partner for next year's event.

Boomtown co-founders Lak Mitchell and Chris Rutherford said: “ Supporting local charities that share the same passions as we do is so important to us and it’s really exciting to be working alongside WinACC this year.

"Chapter 11 onwards is all about sustainability. It’s a huge priority for us. Reducing the impact the festival has on the environment, but also going some way to change the public’s perception on the importance of protecting our planet is vital.

"Being in a position where we are able to help raise money and awareness is a real privilege.”

As previously reported, 20,000 tickets were bought for the 2019 festival within two hours of going on sale, which organisers called "unprecedented".

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