A CITY music festival has raised thousands of pounds to help young carers.

Worcester Music Festival, which took place over three days at the end of August, presented a cheque for £4,601 to Worcestershire Young Carers at their Halloween bash at Perdiswell Young People’s Leisure Club last week.

Of this, £3,527 was raised by the thousands of music fans who attended the free event, while £1,074 was raised by HSBC employees from the county, who completed a nine-mile sponsored walk.

Mary Lewis, team manager for Worcestershire Young Carers, which supports seven to 25-year-olds who help to look after a parent, guardian or sibling within their home, said: “I think it is absolutely fantastic and the money will go a long way in helping us to provide a range of activities for our 200 or so young carers.

“We’d like to thank Worcester Music Festival, HSBC and everyone who got involved this year in helping to raise awareness of our charity. We also all really enjoyed the festival in itself.”

Lynden Berrio, community representative for HSBC Worcester branch in Broad Street, said they had got involved as part of the bank’s ongoing commitment to supporting local charities.

“We had been looking to build a relationship with an established community initiative that has the same focus on charity as ourselves and Worcester Music Festival fitted the bill,” he said.

“We are proud we have been able to help raise invaluable funds for a local cause that supports young people with a huge amount of responsibility on their shoulders.”

All money raised this year will help Worcestershire Young Carers continue to offer support, mentoring, advocacy, information, advice and guidance, as well as run clubs, activities and residential trips to give young carers a break from caring and the opportunity to socialise.

Worcester Music Festival, which put on more than 250 live gigs and scores of workshops at over 35 venues this year, has raised more than £35,000 for charities since it first began seven years ago.

For more information, visit www.yss.org.uk or www.wumufest.co.uk.