ONLY 300 tickets are still available for Ian Donaghy's charity concert, A Night To Remember, at York Barbican on March 13.

"The show has become a tradition in York,"says Huge singer Big Ian, the annual event's master of ceremonies. "As ever, we'll have an all-star house band and a line-up of singers: Chris Helme & Chris Farrell, Heather Findlay, Boss Caine, Jess & Oliver, Beth McCarthy, Graham Hodge, These Jaded Streets and Las Vegas Ken, as well as Kieran O'Malley on fiddle."

Accessible Arts and Media's Hands & Voices singing and signing choir will return after a triumphant performance in 2017, and look out too for Hope & Social's Gary Stewart, whose Graceland shows have been taking Europe by storm.

"We're also honoured to have my good friend Steve Beighton, whose saxophone-playing CV includes Paul Carrack, Take That, Will Young and Eric Clapton," says Big Ian. "Steve is astonishing and will be the icing on the cake."

As per usual, Donaghy promises some tricks up his sleeve with special guests. "Who will it be this year?" he tantalises. "Previous years have seen video appearances from Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Kaiser Chiefs' Ricky Wilson, Nick Knowles and Angela Rippon, so who will appear on the video screens this time?"

Past Nights To Remember have seen the debut of such thought-provoking films such as I Ain’t Got Me Mam. "That one was used as a trailer in cinemas all over the region and got shown on BBC Look North to raise dementia awareness, using eight year olds from Carr Junior School in York," recalls Big Ian. "We have a very special musical feature planned this year that will melt the iciest of hearts.

"There'll be tears but so much joy too. A Night To Remember is all about the city coming together to answer a need highlighting the power of kindness and togetherness in the community."

This year’s concert will raise money for St Leonard’s Hospice, dementia projects in York, Bereaved Children Support York and Accessible Arts. “All the charities chosen mean so much to me, be it dementia; helping people during their end of life at St Leonard’s Hospice; supporting families when they lose a loved one or giving people with learning difficulties exciting opportunities to perform," says Big Ian.

Looking forward to March 13, he adds: "Our concert attracts all age groups with generations coming out to enjoy music together. It's a stunning show featuring some of the finest talents in the city, often playing music you wouldn’t expect them to play. At £15, it's one of the cheapest shows at the Barbican for three hours of quality live music with a setlist as diverse as Abba, David Bowie, Bruce Springsteen, Otis Redding and John Legend.

"Unlike other concerts, this is an ensemble show with many numbers having 20 performers on stage, all singing in harmony, led by ever-present musical director George Hall.

"This group of musicians has created the most warm, welcoming, inclusive, beautiful evenings where everyone on the stage, backstage or designing posters, and audience members too, now have ownership and pride in this event. It's something special."

Gary Stewart says: "I was in the audience last year and was in awe of the family feel on stage. It was beautiful to witness; you could just feel it, so to be asked to be part of the house band as percussionist and asked to sing a song is a true honour.

"A Night to Remember is a unique show where egos are checked in at the door and people deliver unique performances to make a difference in the city."

The latest addition to this fundraising night is a new song, the suitably uplifting Lift You Up, penned by house band guitarist Simon Snaize, to be sung by Big Ian, daughter Annie Donaghy, Heather Findlay and Jess Steel.

Tickets are on sale at £15, concessions £12, at yorkbarbican.co.uk, on 0844 854 2757 or in person from the Barbican box office.

Charles Hutchinson