A beautiful bike-cart set up with goodies for DFest. There is a colourful parasol, flowers and streamers in the background.

Fundraising heroes: DFest raise £4,200 in aid of Amber

We are incredibly grateful to the organisers, performers, friends and family of DFest who have raised £4,200 in aid of Amber – phenomenal!

DFest is a one-day music festival which has become an annual event. Dean and Jo host it in their garden and choose a different charity to fundraise for each year. We were nominated this year by Betsy, who has been supported by The Amber Trust for six years.

Betsy’s grandmother, Sharon, told us a bit more about the festival: ‘DFest was the lovely idea of Dean and Jo Tanner, who live locally to Betsy in Hertfordshire. The festival started modestly six years ago, as a friends and family day in their garden.

‘Some friends who play in a band, suggested they do it the next year and raise some money for a local charity.

‘DFest gradually evolved to become the mini “Glastonbury” it is today, with over 14 different acts appearing this year!

‘Dean and Jo were looking for a local charity to support and his cousin suggested Betsy, as her children go to the same primary school.’

Why Betsy chose The Amber Trust

Betsy, who also performed at DFest, explained to us why she wanted to fundraise in aid of Amber: ‘I wanted to raise money for The Amber Trust because they’ve been so good to me now, in the past, and I’m sure, in the future.

‘I have learned how to play the piano with the incredible Ruth Collins through The Amber Trust, and I know I couldn’t do so many things – perform at school concerts, enjoy playing the piano for self-entertainment, and even entertaining the family at Christmas – without The Amber Trust. They are an incredible charity.’

The result

DFest this year raised £2,000 in aid of Amber through an auction and raffle. This was matched by BP thorough their charity giving scheme and Costco also gave a cheque for £200, bringing the total to £4,200!

Thank you, Betsy for nominating The Amber Trust, and thank you so much to Dean and Jo for organising the event. Your donation will go a long way in helping us provide musical opportunities for blind and partially sighted children across the UK.

Betsy (middle) is pictured with organisers Dean and Jo. Besty is wearing a long, light-coloured skirt and decorative top to match, carrying her cane and a shoulder bag. Dean and Jo both wearing colourful DFest t-shirts and sun hats.
Betsy (middle) is pictured with organisers Dean and Jo. Besty is wearing a long, light-coloured skirt and decorative top to match, carrying her cane and a shoulder bag. Dean and Jo both wearing colourful DFest t-shirts and sun hats.
A photo of the board showing the DFest raffle and auction prizes to be won. The artwork is really colourful and features a hand-drawn heart next to the word 'DFest', along with music notes, a sun, a big tent and a collection of motifs signifying peace, joy and inclusion.
A photo of the board showing the DFest raffle and auction prizes to be won. The artwork is really colourful and features a hand-drawn heart next to the word ‘DFest’, along with music notes, a sun, a big tent and a collection of motifs signifying peace, joy and inclusion.
A photo of the line up for the day surrounded by the colourful DFest artwork. Among all the acts, Betsy's name features first.
A photo of the line up for the day surrounded by the colourful DFest artwork. Among all the acts, Betsy’s name features first.

DFest is the 11th concert so far that has been part of our 30 Concerts for 30 Years campaign. If you’d like to join in and organise a concert, gig, or even mini-festival of your own, please get in touch!