Yorkshire festival to support Sheffield cancer charity

Rock N Roll Circus has today announced new charity partnerships for its 2026 events in Sheffield and Norwich, working with two leading organisations supporting people living with cancer and those navigating life beyond diagnosis.

The award-winning festival will partner with Weston Park Cancer Charity in Sheffield and Big C Cancer Charity in Norwich, embedding fundraising, awareness and community-led initiatives across both events this summer.

Both charities are deeply rooted in their local communities and have played a vital role in supporting people affected by cancer for decades. Big C Cancer Charity, founded in 1980, has spent over 45 years funding life-saving research and delivering essential support services across Norfolk, raising millions to improve cancer care in the region.

Meanwhile, Weston Park Cancer Charity works alongside one of the UK’s leading cancer centres in Sheffield, helping to fund pioneering research, clinical trials, and providing free emotional, practical and financial support to patients and families, across the region, at every stage of their journey.

Through this partnership, Rock N Roll Circus aims to harness the scale and spirit of its live events to raise awareness and generate meaningful support for both organisations.

Rock N Roll Circus Festival Director Ali O’Reilly said: “We’re honoured to be working alongside two incredible cancer charities: Big C in Norwich and Weston Park Cancer Charity in Sheffield.

“The care, support and hope they provide to individuals and families affected by cancer is truly inspiring. This is a cause that means a great deal to me personally, and I’m passionate about doing what we can to support their life-changing work.

“Through this partnership, we hope to raise awareness, contribute to their incredible efforts, and make a meaningful difference together.”

Across both Sheffield and Norwich, Rock N Roll Circus will integrate the charities into the fabric of the festival experience, creating multiple opportunities for audiences, artists and partners to engage.

In Norwich, Big C Cancer Charity will host a dedicated on-site awareness hub, offering information, support and a welcoming space for festivalgoers. A series of fundraising initiatives will run in the lead-up and across the event, including guest list donation contributions and raffles and prize draws.

Storytelling will sit at the heart of the partnership, with real experiences from Big C beneficiaries shared across digital channels and on-site activations. Artists will also be encouraged to support the campaign through shout-outs and engagement across the weekend.

Additional activity will include QR code donation points across the site, co-branded content, and the potential for limited-edition merchandise supporting the charity, alongside a wellbeing space highlighting available services.

In Sheffield, Weston Park Cancer Charity will play an equally prominent role, bringing its expertise and community presence to the festival through awareness campaigns, fundraising activity and on-site engagement. The charity supports thousands of people throughout South Yorkshire, North Derbyshire and Bassetlaw every year, with free services designed to help individuals live with and beyond cancer, while also funding research that has global impact.

The collaboration reflects Rock N Roll Circus’ continued commitment to the cities it calls home, using its platform not only to deliver world-class live music experiences but also to support causes that matter deeply to local communities.

Emma Clarke, CEO of Weston Park Cancer Charity, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be a chosen charity partner for Rock N Roll Circus this summer at Don Valley Bowl, and are incredibly grateful for the opportunity.

“We know that one in two people in our region will develop cancer, so we are working tirelessly to raise awareness, help people recognise the signs and symptoms, and support patients through every stage of their diagnosis.

“Rock N Roll Circus will enable us to reach a large number of people across our local community, and we’re really looking forward to speaking with festivalgoers about the work we do. Please do come and say hello to our friendly team.”

Karen Vincent, Chief Executive at Big C, added: “We’re delighted Big C Cancer Charity has been chosen as charity partner for the Rock N Roll Circus in Norwich. This partnership provides a fantastic platform to shine a spotlight on our services and the support raised will help Big C to continue providing vital practical and emotional care, fund pioneering research, making sure anyone affected by cancer in Norfolk can access the help they need, when they need it.

“We are deeply grateful to Ali and the Rock N Roll Circus team for championing our work and look forward to being part of this exciting event turning festival energy into real impact.”

Rock N Roll Circus returns this summer with its biggest programme to date, expanding across two major UK cities. In Norwich, the festival takes over Earlham Park from Thursday 20 to Sunday 23 August 2026, bringing together headline performances from James, The Streets, The Kooks and Madness alongside a diverse line-up spanning indie, ska, reggae and emerging talent.

The following weekend, Rock N Roll Circus heads to Don Valley Bowl in Sheffield from Thursday 27 to Sunday 30 August 2026, delivering a Bank Holiday celebration featuring The Kooks, The Streets, Wunderhorse and Richard Ashcroft, alongside a host of breakthrough artists and the immersive circus performance that has become synonymous with the event.

Tickets and further information are available via rocknrollcircus.co.uk

At point of purchase, ticket holders also have the option to make a donation of their choice to either of the charities.