Rock Choir Helps Raise £21,000 at Sue Ryder Starlight Hike Leeds 2026

Key Points

• Charity Impact: The annual Sue Ryder Starlight Hike in Leeds successfully raised over £21,000 to fund expert end-of-life care provided by hospice nurses.
• Musical Motivation: Forty members of the Rock Choir performed a dedicated repertoire along the route at Woodhouse Moor Park to keep participants motivated during the night-time walk.
• Participant Involvement: Walkers completed either a 5km or 10km route, with many wearing fancy dress, carrying glowsticks, or walking alongside their dogs in memory of loved ones.
• Hospice Reflection: Participants were given the opportunity to dedicate and place a star in memory of someone special within the grounds of Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice.
• Future Collaboration: Rock Choir will continue its support for the charity on Thursday, 3 December, performing festive songs and signature tracks at Leeds railway station to support ongoing fundraising efforts.
• Community Access: Rock Choir currently operates across 34 locations in Yorkshire and the North East, offering free taster sessions with no audition or sheet-music reading required.

Horsforth (The Leeds Times) October 21, 2026 –More than £21,000 was raised for charity during the annual Sue Ryder Starlight Hike in Leeds, where 40 members of the Rock Choir delivered an energetic live performance to motivate hundreds of participants completing a night-time sponsored walk.

Taking place across a 5km and 10km route, the event saw walkers navigating through the city in memory of departed relatives and friends. Members of the Rock Choir gathered in Woodhouse Moor Park, positioned directly adjacent to the University of Leeds, where they provided musical entertainment for the crowds. The singers brought glowsticks to illuminate the evening, complementing the fancy dress worn by several participants, many of whom were accompanied by their pet dogs as they navigated the course.

Which Songs Were Performed During the Night-Time Walk?

Led by Rock Choir Leader Ainjiel-Shaolee Clark, the vocal group brought together singers from regional branches including Horsforth, Ilkley, Keighley, Roundhay, Temple Newsam, and Wakefield. Together, the 40 singers delivered a varied setlist designed to boost morale and keep energy levels high throughout the evening.

The group’s repertoire featured popular anthems and emotive classics, including ‘Mountain’, ‘Someone You Loved’, ‘I’m a Believer’, and ‘Dreams’. The choir’s presence transformed the park setting into an interactive stop for those taking part in the trek.

As described by Ainjiel-Shaolee Clark, the performance elicited a strong positive reaction from those passing through the park. She remarked that the walkers thoroughly enjoyed the performance, noting that some participants danced as they walked past while others chose to stop, watch, and clap along to the music.

Clark further emphasised the significance of the location, stating that it was fantastic to perform in the very heart of Leeds. She added that the choir has partnered with Sue Ryder for previous events, noting that the charity holds deep personal meaning for the choir members and that supporting the organization’s work remains a high priority for the ensemble.

Why Is the Starlight Hike Important to the Local Community?

The Starlight Hike is organised annually to provide members of the public with an opportunity to express gratitude for the care provided by Sue Ryder nurses and the wider end-of-life care team. A central feature of the night allowed walkers to pass through the grounds of Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice, where they could place a dedicated star in memory of a loved one.

The combination of musical entertainment and quiet reflection gave the event a distinct balance between celebration and remembrance. Representing the charity, Michael Tarbatt, Regional Fundraiser for Sue Ryder, expressed gratitude for the musical contribution. Tarbatt observed that the Rock Choir was amazing and created a real moment for walkers to stop and reflect, while also giving them a significant boost during their trek.

What Are the Next Events Planned for Sue Ryder and Rock Choir?

The partnership between the vocal group and the healthcare charity is scheduled to continue into the winter season. Rock Choir has confirmed its next fundraising appearance on behalf of Sue Ryder will take place at Leeds railway station on Thursday, 3 December, starting at 10:00 am.

During this appearance, choir members will perform a mix of seasonal Christmas tracks alongside their standard Rock Choir repertoire. Volunteer collectors will be stationed alongside the performers throughout the morning to gather donations from commuting members of the public.

To support its extensive schedule of community engagements, Rock Choir operates 34 individual locations across Yorkshire and the North East. The organization maintains an open-door policy for new members, requiring no formal audition process or ability to read music.

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Background of Sue Ryder and Regional Fundraising Initiatives

Sue Ryder is a major UK healthcare charity that provides palliative, neurological, and end-of-life care across specialist hospices, neurological centres, and community-based healthcare services. In the West Yorkshire region, Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice in Headingley serves as a vital community facility, delivering expert medical care, symptom management, and emotional support to individuals facing life-limiting conditions, alongside dedicated guidance for their families.

Fundraising events such as the Starlight Hike play a vital role in maintaining these palliative services. While healthcare providers receive partial funding through statutory channels, independent charities rely substantially on community-driven contributions, corporate sponsorships, and public donations to cover operational overheads. The £21,000 raised during the Leeds hike directly subsidises nursing hours, bereavement counseling, and family support programmes.

Community performance groups like Rock Choir have increasingly formed partnerships with regional healthcare charities. Founded as an accessible singing organization across the UK, Rock Choir provides local residents with social and musical opportunities while frequently offering entertainment for local charity drives, town-centre fundraisers, and civic gatherings.

Prediction: How This Development May Affect Local Residents and Charity Donors

The successful completion of the Leeds Starlight Hike and the substantial sum raised are likely to have several direct effects on local residents, hospice service users, and regional charitable activities:

• Sustained Hospice Service Provisions: The injection of over £21,000 in direct funding will assist Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice in maintaining uninterrupted end-of-life care services. For local patients and families requiring palliative care, this ensures continued access to clinical support and emotional guidance without reductions in capacity.
• Increased Engagement in Festive Fundraising: The announcement of the upcoming performance at Leeds railway station on 3 December creates an immediate touchpoint for rail commuters and shoppers. This visible presence in a high-footfall transportation hub during the holiday season is expected to drive higher spontaneous cash and digital donations for Sue Ryder.
• Uptake in Community Choir Memberships: High-profile public performances at prominent landmarks like Woodhouse Moor Park serve as key recruitment channels for Rock Choir. Local residents seeking social connection or mental health benefits through group singing are likely to utilise the advertised free taster sessions across the 34 regional branches.
• Expanded Local Corporate and Volunteer Partnerships: Demonstrating strong returns through collaborative events encourages other local businesses, performers, and volunteer groups in West Yorkshire to partner with healthcare charities, helping to secure future event sponsorship and volunteer numbers for subsequent annual hikes.