Special support will be provided to families in Kent, Sussex, and Surrey who are experiencing financial hardship this Christmas, as The Greenaway Foundation launches a fundraising music event. The annual Greenaway Live festival, taking place in Crawley, aims to collect vital funds that will allow the charity to deliver both festive gifts and meals to more than a thousand households this holiday season.
Crawley Welcomes Back Charity Music Festival
Returning for its second year, the Greenaway Live music festival is organized by the Greenaway Foundation at Crawley Rugby Club, renowned for distributing two-course Christmas dinners to families throughout Kent, Sussex, and Surrey. Starting at 15:00 BST on Saturday, all ticket profits will support the organization’s festive projects for local families facing hardship.
Founder Darren Greenaway, who introduced the festival in 2025, explained that demand for the charity’s help continues to increase. “It’s getting bigger and bigger, so this year we need to raise about £200,000,” Greenaway reported, noting that the charity is aiming to raise around £200,000 this year to address escalating need during the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Delivering Dreams to Children on Christmas Eve
The foundation’s holiday program goes beyond providing meals; it features a unique element where children from struggling households can “make a wish for a Christmas present,” and the foundation strives to make those wishes come true by delivering selected gifts on Christmas Eve. In 2026, the organization expects to support over 1,000 families. Greenaway reflected on the powerful reactions from parents, sharing that “Some parents would break down and cry when we turn up and make the delivery.”
Festival success, fueled by acts performing free of charge, has helped grow the foundation’s profile and reach. “All the live acts are donating their time for free, so it’s a mini Live Aid,” Greenaway commented. This community generosity has bolstered the event’s momentum, and with both increased demand for the foundation’s assistance and growing public interest, preparations for the next year’s festival are already underway.
Broadening the Event’s Impact
This year, Greenaway Live broadens its access by being streamed on the Foundation’s social media channels, enabling supporters and donors unable to attend to take part online. Greenaway highlighted the challenges of organizing the very first festival while on his honeymoon, illustrating the dedication behind the project. “This year we said we’d try again and obviously it seems to be getting more and more traction, so we’ve all now started planning towards next year,” he said.
Through a blend of live performances, grassroots fundraising, and practical assistance, the Greenaway Foundation is reinforcing its reputation for compassionate and effective support of families in need over the holidays. With strong fundraising targets and the enthusiasm of community members, its model stands out as an example of committed local charity during tough times.
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