In a move that combines the spirit of Live Aid with the grim reality of festive budgeting, a charity is hosting a music event to fund its Christmas dinner project. The Greenaway Foundation, which serves families in Kent, Sussex and Surrey, provides ingredients for a two-course Christmas dinner to help with the costs of the season.

The organisation's music festival, Greenaway Live, takes place at Crawley Rugby Club from 15:00 BST on Saturday, with ticket sales helping fund its work for families struggling financially. Darren Greenaway, the founder, noted that the Christmas project is 'getting bigger and bigger', so this year they need to raise about £200,000. Because nothing says holiday cheer like needing a six-figure sum to feed people.

As part of the charity's festive efforts, children from low-income families can make a 'make a wish for a Christmas present', which the organisation delivers on Christmas Eve. It expects to support over 1,000 families in 2026, and Greenaway said some parents would 'break down and cry when we turn up and make the delivery'. Because nothing says Christmas like tears of relief.

The first Greenaway Live was held in 2025, and the second year's event will be streamed on the charity's social media. Greenaway, who was apparently on his honeymoon trying to arrange the first one, said, 'This year we said we'd try again and obviously it seems to be getting more and more traction, so we've all now started planning towards next year.' He added, 'All the live acts are donating their time for free, so it's a mini Live Aid.' Because every holiday season needs a bit of rock-and-roll philanthropy.

For those in the southeast, BBC Sussex is covering the story, and you can send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp on 08081 002250. Meanwhile, the charity soldiers on, proving that the spirit of giving is alive and well, even if it requires a festival to fund it.