Sir, – Further to “Music entrepreneur Vince Power’s funeral hears of a man who made the world a better place” (News, March 23rd), there have been many tributes to Vince, and people have spoken of his business career and his great success in the music business. However, he was also a man who was acutely aware of the difficulties many people faced in their lives. He gave generously and quietly to help them.
From the start of his development of the music festival scene, Vince inaugurated the concept of asking people on the guest lists to donate £5 for charity for their guest pass. This enabled him to help set up and donate to housing associations in North London. Vince supported Solas Anois, a women’s refuge in North London, and the Aisling project, which assisted elderly Irish people return to Ireland. The Irish centre in Camden received both financial and practical help over many years. “When I remember Vince, I think of two things: huge ambition and humble, life-changing kindness”, Gary Dunne, from the London Irish Centre, said.
The Terence Higgins Trust and Amnesty international also benefitted from this generosity.
Vince saw the global picture, as evidenced by his support for the organisation Cradle, which came into being because of the terrible war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and which was a recipient of both the monies raised at festivals and Vince’s personal money. In all, it is reckoned that they received close to £1 million. This money was used to supply food, medicines and other needs. Then, with Vince’s support, housing and schools were built.
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As Dr Tajma Kapic of Cradle recalls: “Vince was a well of hope. He never let Cradle down, always showed up for us”. – Yours, etc,
CECILIA GALLAGHER,
London.
