Chilfest donates £10,000 to hospice despite failing to turn profit

The three-day extravaganza Chilfest did not turn a profit for organiser Steve Butcher of Universal Event Productions, who succeeded in attracting thousands of music-lovers and big-name artists to the events over the last two years.

But despite the lack of monetary success, the team behind Chilfest – which took place from July 4 to 6 – has joined forced with Aston Clinton drinks firm Dayla to donate the generous sum to Rennie Grove Hospice Care.

Steve said: “We always wanted Chilfest to be a force for good in the local community. Over the two years we are proud to have brought some big names to Tring and to have provided first class entertainment for tens of thousands of people, really putting the local area on the map.

“Last year, even though there were problems with the supply of drinks on one of the two nights, we were able to make a donation of £10,000 to Rennie Grove.

“This year we teamed up with Dayla to ensure the bars ran like clockwork and I am delighted that, together, we have also been able to match last year’s donation to Rennie Grove in recognition of the vital work they do for local patients and families and the support they have given Chilfest along the way.”

Dayla’s managing director Tim Cooper said:“We thoroughly enjoyed being involved in Chilfest this year. Our Carlsberg bus was a big draw and all of the forty staff we employed to work on the bars found it a brilliant atmosphere to work in.

“Through meticulous planning we were able to ensure that waiting times for drinks this year were virtually non-existent and it was an absolute pleasure to be involved in such a professional event.

“We have supported Rennie Grove Hospice Care for a number of years and already donate the water used at all of their events free of charge so we are delighted to be able to make this donation to a deserving local cause that is already close to our hearts.”

The donation will fund 500 hours of specialist responsive nursing care in Rennie Grove patients’ homes.

Corporate fundraising manager at Rennie Grove Colin Ivey thanked both companies for their support. He said: “Each year we need to raise £6.5 million to fund the care we provide for over 3,000 local patients and families.

“Around 85% of it comes from donations like this from businesses and individuals in the local area. We are very grateful to UEP and Dayla for their ongoing support.”