BillyChip, the social enterprise scheme which aims to empower rough sleepers, will be launching BillyChip Live at this year’s Glastonbury Festival from 21 to 25 June. The official launch will take place in The Common, where BillyChip Live will showcase Wilkinson, the record producer, DJ and remixer.
BillyChip was set up in 2018 to continue the legacy of Billy Abernethy-Hope, a twenty year old ambulance driver from Bristol. After helping support the homeless, Billy felt disheartened at how little the general public gave to local homeless people. Although many make regular charitable donations, Billy was surprised at the small percentage of donations given directly to people living rough for fear of the money being used for drugs or alcohol. BillyChip offers a solution, extending compassion, connection and choice to homeless people in the UK. After Billi’s untimely death in 2018, the BillyChip Foundation was established as a registered charity by Meg Abernethy-Hope, Billy’s sister, and Jon Hope, Billy’s father.
BillyChip Live will partner with The Common, the dedicated late night area at Glastonbury, with Wilkinson playing a headline set at iconic location of The Temple. Wilkinson’s hit Afterglow with Becky Hill reached No 8 in the UK singles chart in 2013.
BillyChip Live is a new initiative from BillyChip, aiming to bring awareness of the team’s work to new audiences. BillyChip operates as a currency for those who are experiencing homelessness, or who are sleeping rough. The scheme allows people to purchase a BillyChip for £2 which they can then give to someone sleeping rough as a way to support them. The act of giving a BillyChip allows someone to redeem the chip for a hot or cold drink, or meal, at participating outlets including selected branches of Greggs and Co-Op Central.
Meg Abernethy-Hope, Co-Founder of BillyChip, said: “Taking BillyChip to new audiences is really important to us – we want BillyChip to be available on every high street in the UK. BillyChip Live will let us share our work through club nights, events and gigs across the UK. As a charity with its heart in the West Country, we’re beyond excited about working with the legendary Glastonbury Festival to share our journey so far and bring some inspirational sounds from Wilkinson to music fans.”
Jon Hope, Co-Founder at BillyChip added: “As well as being the inspiration behind BillyChip, Billy was a massive dance music fan and Afterglow was the song we chose to play at his memorial. Offering live events to share the work we’re doing feels like a fitting legacy, and it’s amazing to be working with Wilkinson at Glastonbury to share our first BillyChip Live set.”
