APRIL 14 is Good Friday but the 13th is being renamed Mint Thursday by York musician Ian Donaghy, organiser of that day's A Night To Remember concert at York Barbican.

"The show is in profit before a single seat is sold: every penny of ticket money goes direct to St Leonard’s Hospice and dementia projects in York," says a chuffed Big Ian, whose annual fund-raiser is in its fifth year.

"A Night To Remember has become a tradition, and this year Big Ian’s Avengers will be re-assembling at the venue where my band Huge played the opening show in 1991.

"I'll play ringmaster at an evening that would knock many a Later...With Jools Holland episode into a cocked hat with an all-star house band led by musical genius George Hall, with Kieran O'Malley on fiddle and sax legend Mick Donnelly, and a stellar line-up of singers: Chris Helme & Chris Farrell; Heather Findlay; Boss Caine; Jess Steel; Beth McCarthy, Graham Hodge; These Jaded Streets; Simon Snaize and Samantha Holden."

The setlist promises "something for everyone", with covers ranging from The Carpenters and George Michael to Rag'n'Bone Man and Ed Sheeran. "There'll also be a special performance from Hands And Voices, the singing and signing York choir who remove the ceiling of learning disabilities to raise the Barbican’s roof," says Big Ian.

“This is a particular honour for me as one of their singers is Anneka Spence, who was one of the first ever students I taught when I was a newly qualified teacher at Fulford Cross Special School back in 1993.”

The evening also will include thought-provoking films made with children from Carr Junior School and people living with dementia in York. Big Ian now spends every day with such people and with those who care for them all over Britain.

“In the past few years I feel that this group of astonishing musicians have created the most warm, welcoming, inclusive, beautiful evenings where generations come out as a family, no longer just being aware of dementia but now thinking how to make things to help others and then acting upon it," says Big Ian.

"Everyone on the stage, backstage or designing posters, and audience members too, have ownership and pride in this event, so much so that this year the 1,500-strong audience from last year feature on the posters."

In 2016, The Press review suggested "Big Ian has changed the goalposts for charity gigs in this city”. "If that was a challenge, the challenge is accepted for this year," says Big Ian. "We daren’t rest on our laurels. We need to give people A Night To Remember.”

In the first week, ticket sales exceeded all expectations, with more than 1,000 booked already, but plenty more remain on sale at £15, concessions £10, on 0844 854 2757 or at yorkbarbican.co.uk