A YORK music promoter is hoping to raise £5,000 for homeless people with a new charity single and two fundraising events.

Graham Blueskies has co-written My Street with Leeds-based musician Jess Penn, who also sings the track, and was recorded, produced and mastered by the team at Dr Shakamoto’s in Leeds.

The two charities to benefit will be youth homelessness prevention charity Sash and church group Acts435, whose patron is the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, which aims to get money to those in need around the UK as quickly as possible.

There will also be two fundraising events at Lendal Cellars and the Golden Lion on Church Street this Sunday from 1pm, both of which will feature various artists from across Yorkshire.

Graham who has already set up a homelessness voucher scheme which allows him to leave money at a local sandwich shop and hand out vouchers, said he was moved to do something following a personal experience.

After leaving a gig one evening, he refused to give money to a homeless man because he only had a £20 note in his pocket and said he felt ashamed afterwards, and immediately decided to set up the scheme.

Graham, 59, from Stamford Bridge, said: “Ever since, so many news stories have come out around what happens to children and young people, how there are so many gaps for them to fall through.”

The single is available to download for free, but Graham hopes that people will then visit his Just Giving site to make a donation.

Find the single at https://thepenitentsfeatjesspenn.bandcamp.com/releases then search for Graham Blueskies on Just Giving to donate.

For further information about the fundraising gigs visit www.blueskiesam.co.uk.

All the money raised will be used locally throughout York via Sash and Acts435, as well as contributing to funding Graham’s voucher scheme.