Pictured: Valentine Thomas, daughter of Ambrose Appelbe who was a lifelong supporter of Toynbee, presents Proms' cheque to Toynbee Hall chief executive, Jim Minton

Proms has raised £60,000 for charity through this year's music and literary festival, and presented cheques to two good causes today.

Toynbee Hall in East London, founded by Dame Henrietta Barnett, who also founded the Suburb, received £45,000 to tackle the impacts of poverty on young people. The ‘When We Speak’ project aims to help teenagers gain confidence and inspire them to bring about change.

A further £15,000 went to the North London Hospice, to help people with a potentially life-limiting illness.

Niamh O’Donnell Keenan, Trustee of Proms, said:

“Our donations are possible only thanks to the combined efforts of hundreds of volunteers and supporters. In presenting this year’s cheques to both charities at Toynbee Hall, it was wonderful to be able to see Toynbee’s redeveloped premises and to get further insight into the work of this excellent charity.”

Jim Minton, Chief Executive of Toynbee Hall, said:

“At Toynbee Hall we are very proud of and grateful for our historic association with the Proms at St Jude’s. Every year, dedicated volunteers create a wonderful community-led festival of arts and culture. This generates invaluable funds for us to create opportunities for young people from East London who face real barriers, and also gives the chance for young people from East London to share their stories and experiences on stage alongside some fantastic performers and musicians.

“Toynbee Hall has a long history of helping young people to create positive change and tackle the challenges that communities in London face. Thanks to the generosity of Proms supporters, many more young people will have the opportunity to be heard, and create similar change for themselves and their communities, now and in the future, to help change London for the better.”

Proms has raised over £950,000 for charity since foundation in 1993, and aims to pass the million mark in 2020. The next festival is scheduled to run from 27 June to 5 July.