Busking For Charity dishes out over £20k to deserving causes

Billy Spakemon's 'Busking For Charity' project has had another bumper year, which saw them hand out £22,700 to a number of the boroughs good causes.

Over the last few years, alongside a number of colleagues, the group of musicians have raised in excess of £80,000 over the last four years, which has been donated directly to vital services across our region.

The cheques were given out at The Crafty Jar on Lower High Street in Stourbridge alongside inspirational stories and live music.

Cheques were presented by Stourbridge MP, Cat Eccles to causes including 'Me, Myself & I', Discover U, White House Cancer Support, Sgt Peppers Friendship Club and Dudley Breast Care Screening at Russels Hall Hospital.

Speaking about the event, Billy said: "We'd like to thank everyone who has supported us through 2025. That includes Keith and the team at Gig Caritas, all the venues and performers - but primarily the people of our region for their incredible generosity.

"It's always been our policy to select smaller organisations so the people of the region benefit directly and we were once again able to offer £4,000 each to to five local groups plus smaller amounts to two others.

"2026 is off to a great start as well with over £5,000 already in the pot!

"We can't change the world, but we can change people's lives here in the Black Country."

For the remainder of this year, Busking For Charity will be supporting 'Tough Enough to Care', 'Riverside House', 'The MS Therapy Centre', 'Sandwell Visually Impaired' and the 'Teenage Mental Health Support Unit' at Russells Hall Hospital.