THE first Swindon Summer Music Festival raised £710 for two charities.

More than 25 bands, duos and solo artists from around the borough and wider Wiltshire performed virtual gigs which were viewed more than 46,000 times in the first weekend of July.

After counting the donations, organisers revealed that £308.75 was raised on the Saturday for the British Heart Foundation and £401.25 on the Sunday for Diabetes UK.

A spokesman from the festival said: “We are absolutely delighted with the level of support the festival received over the course of the two days and with the money it raised for the BHF and Diabetes UK, both of which are charities close to our hearts.

“We would like to thank every single person who gave up their time to perform at the festival and everybody who was kind enough to support the acts and donate to the charities.

“The success of the festival has given us the confidence to do it all again next year – so watch this space, music lovers.”

Popular acts including The Quarantinos, Chris O’Leary, Steven Tilley, Elicia Rosaria and star of The Voice Kids Phoebe Maddison all performed at the festival which was livestreamed on Facebook.

Regional head of Diabetes UK South West Phaedra Perry said: “Our much-needed work wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our incredible fundraisers, so we are delighted, and very grateful, to all those involved with the Swindon Summer Music Festival for supporting us in this way.

“The money raised will help fund ground-breaking research, care services and campaigns that can change the lives of those who live with diabetes.”

Area fundraising manager for the BHF James Rogers said: “We are so grateful to the organisers and all the artists who supported the festival. Hosting the event online was very creative way to put on an event like this and fundraise at this very challenging time.

“We estimate that there are around 21,500 people in Swindon currently living with heart and circulatory diseases, with these conditions claiming the lives of around 420 people each year.

"Fundraising events like the Swindon Summer Music Festival help the BHF fund ground-breaking discoveries and identify new treatments to keep hearts beating and blood flowing.”