Sadness as charity money stolen from music event

Paul Quinn said about £150-£200 was stolen during the event's first night

The founder of a grassroots music event says he feels "saddened" after money collected for charity during the first night was stolen.

A box containing about £150-£200 was taken from the door of The Tin Music and Arts venue in Coventry on Friday during Covtember, organiser Paul Quinn said.

As well as being a celebration of grassroots musical talent, the annual event also raises money for charity, with part of this year's proceeds going to Myton Hospice.

West Midlands Police has been contacted by the BBC about the theft.

Mr Quinn told BBC Radio CWR he was watching one band, Suns of Rest, play their headline set when he was told of the theft.

He said it was particularly hard for him to hear as Myton Hospice was picked as this year's charity following the support they gave his wife, Jane, who was diagnosed with breast cancer.

"It's just sad really. I don't really get angry at those things, it just saddens me. It's disappointing," he said.

"Initially it makes you angry but I tend to see it as alternate rounds - if you get knocked down, you dust yourself off and off you go again."

'Coventry is beautiful'

Mr Quinn, who was a finalist in CWR's Make A Difference Awards this year, praised people for their response what had happened after the news was posted on Facebook.

"People have been so lovely," he added. "This city is just beautiful, especially in these situations."

He urged music fans to get down to The Tin and support the event for its remaining two days.

"We've got two days left so I'll be pushing it and The Tin will be pushing it, just to get as many people down as we can to turn what we've lost around," Mr Quinn continued.

The doors for the Covtember open at 14:00 BST on Saturday and Sunday, with performances from artists including Arthur and the Invincibles, Fütumche!, Standard Sound Project and Mr Quinn's band The Loaded.

Since 2018, the event has raised more than £12,000 for charities across Coventry and Warwickshire, including Coventry Mind, Crisis Coventry and Warwickshire, Coventry Food Bank and Zoe's Place.