Stepping up our support

We’ve raised a whopping £73,648 for charity since the beginning of Valley Fest.

Luke Hasell set up the festival in 2014 in honour of his parents who both died within a short time of each other. Having farmed for generations, they cared enormously for the land and community surrounding it. Their spirit and joie de vivre runs deeply through the festival.

Much of the drive to run the festival comes from the fund-raising opportunity it creates. Luke’s mother Sandra Hasell very sadly died of ovarian cancer. She had so much energy and a huge love of life – just like Luke. Our nominated charities for 2024 are…

Teenage Cancer Trust want to continue to support teenagers through a cancer diagnosis, so that they have the best chance of thriving. The money we raise helps to ensure that young people in the South West don’t have to face cancer alone.

BillyChip exists to bridge the gap between the homeless and the public and create a connection that makes a real difference. Essentially you can buy a “chip” which can be exchanged by the homeless person for food and drink.

Billy is sadly no longer with us but his vision is strong and his family (based in the Chew Valley) and the BillyChip are turning it into a reality helping thousands of rough sleepers across Bristol and the South West.

The Community Farm: Valley Fest is held in the fields neighbouring The Community Farm (TCF), a nature-friendly, organic farm which works with a network of producers who share their ethics to supply fresh, local and organic food to hundreds of households across the local area.

They aim to grow community as much as they grow food. It’s only thanks to their supporters and customers that they are able to open the farm gates to more than 1,500 people every year. These include Bristol-based refugees and asylum seekers; people suffering with isolation and mental ill health; adults and children from visible ethnic minorities; and local school children.