The Sunday for Sammy concerts have now become one of the most eagerly anticipated events in the North East entertainment calendar. The concerts began in 2000 and are staged every two years at Newcastle City Hall. Following the sudden death of their friend Sammy Johnson, fellow actors Tim Healy and Jimmy Nail set up the Sammy Johnson Memorial Fund as a way of supporting young people setting out on a career in the performing arts. The concerts raise money for the fund and keep the memory of Sammy alive in an extravaganza of North East entertainment. In the past the bill has included Tim Healy, Jimmy Nail, Kevin Whately, Denise Welch, Charlie Hardwick, Timothy Spall, Brendan Healy, Brian Johnson, Billy Mitchell, John Miles, Jill Halfpenny and many more.
Space is also made on the bill for some of the young performers who have received financial support from the Sammy Johnson Fund, giving
them the opportunity to share the stage with some of the North East’s
most high profile entertainers. Auditions are held in Newcastle twice a
year for applications to the fund.
Sunday for Sammy is supported by the Sponsors Club for Arts and Business at The Community Foundation, over 155 talented recipients have received grants from the fund since its inception in 2000.
