MUSICIANS from across York helped raise thousands of pounds for charity during this year’s annual A Night to Remember extravaganza.

Big Ian Donaghy’s show brings together acts from York and further afield to perform at York Barbican, raising money for St Leonard’s Hospice, Bereaved Children Support, Accessible Arts and Media, and a host of dementia projects in the city.

The night began with a special video message from The Kaiser Chiefs’ frontman Ricky Wilson. who introduced the evening to the surprised crowd.

Ian and Kevin Curran also made some short films that made an enormous impact.

‘I just love Maltesers’ explained how we should treat people living with dementia, the Bereaved Children Support Group explained the impact their founder Jo Cole has made on their lives and DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles extolled the virtues of community as “our most valuable resource” in York talking about Xmas Presence, Big Ian’s other charity venture, and A Night to Remember.

The night was filled with group numbers and solo performances.

Son of a Preacher Man was led by the soulful Jess Steel and the finale number, This is Me from the Greatest Showman, was sung by 14-year-old Annie Donaghy.

Chris Helme’s Que Sera Sera and Never Tear Us Apart (INXS) sent shivers down every spine, Beth McCarthy’s I Will Always Love You had the room in tears, These Jaded Street showed how tight harmonies can be, Heather Findlay transported us back to 1987 with Heart’s Alone’and Boss Caine’s Tiny Dancer took everyone by surprise.

Mr Donaghy said some performers from the south were unable to travel to York because of the snow, but one group made the journey from London to be at the Barbican.

“It was astonishing,” he said.

“We had a lot of things up against us, but people made an enormours effort.”