FEATURE:
All Her Love
IN THIS PHOTO: Kate Bush in an alternate publicity shot for 2005’s Aerial/PHOTO CREDIT: Trevor Leighton
Kate Bush: Humanity and Charity
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I came across a video…
that I had read about but never seen before. When it comes to Kate Bush and charity/humanity, this is a subject that I have written about before. I can’t recall the last time I did, though I have definitely discussed her altruism and consideration for others. How she has raised money for charity and how there is always this thing inside her that looks out for others. It seems like a very timely moment to discuss such things. As we see genocide happening in Gaza, I have been thinking about Kate Bush and how she must be feeling. Someone who has donated her time and words in the past to atrocities and injustices. The video about Kate Bush I am referring to is 1990’s Prisoners of Conscience. Amnesty International broadcast five minute spots on BBC television in the U.K., in which celebrities discussed the plight of political prisoners. On 12th June, 1990, Kate Bush talked about two of them: Hong Song-Dam, a South Korean artist who was released from prison in the early 1990s, and Chang Ul-Gyun, also from South Korea. As I said, I had never seen the video before but I know Bush had filmed it. It got me thinking about that particular moment and how she gave her voice in 1990. Someone who wanted to help out. It happened since and happened before. The 1990 video is quite stirring and eye-opening. Bush has raised money for charity and has put signed goods up for auction in order to raise money. I will talk more about the altruism and the fact that she has given her time to various causes and events.
In terms of charity fundraising, in 2019, Bush announced that £61,000 had been raised for CRISIS (Kate Bush fans also added £650 to that total). A charity that is aiming to end homelessness, the money was raised from a pop-up shop in London. It was a wonderful idea and a marvellous cause. Earlier this year, Bush donated a number of signed Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God) C.D. singles to the annual Cabaret vs Cancer charity music auction. If you didn’t know, Cabaret vs Cancer was set up in 2016 and raises money through cabaret and burlesque shows as well as themed online auctions to help people coping with the effects of cancer. Kate Bush News reported on it. I have mentioned before how Bush allowed the use of her song, This Woman’s Work, for an NSPCC advert. Not to repeat what has come before in my features – I did one in 2020 and another the following year covering this -, but Bush supported Ferry Aid in 1987. That charity raised funds for a recent ferry disaster in Belgium. I have written about how Bush spent a portion of her thirtieth birthday raising money for charity. On 30th July, 1988, at Blazers Boutique, Bush was photographed where she was raising money for AIDS victims on behalf of the Terrence Higgins Trust (celebrities appeared in shops at Covent Garden, London as shop assistants to sell T-shirts and raffles. The money that was generated from this, plus 5% of the shops' takings, were donated to the charity. I have discussed Kate Bush the activist and her amazing charity work. There are so many different sides to her when it comes to it. Many might associate Kate Bush with the music, though when you think about all that she has done for charities and various causes through the years, it is truly inspiring.
In recent years, she has been engaged with charity and lending words to support the NHS and their amazing work during the pandemic. Bush’s recent Christmas message was about the state of the world and how things are quite bad. She was trying to find positives, yet she acknowledged how awful things are. Her heart was very much with those affected by war and conflict. Mentioning War Child, UNICEF and the NSPCC, it was another incident of Kate Bush very much putting others first. Tying back to that video of 1990 which I mentioned, one of the defining aspects of Kate Bush’s personality is how giving she is. The fact that her heart always goes out to people going through struggles. Whether it is homelessness or they are in a violence-afflicted country, she really does do as much as she can to help. Some might say that someone so wealthy could donate a lot and do more. Kate Bush has given so much of her time through the years. She sort of reminds me of Taylor Swift now or Paul McCartney. Artists who have done a lot for charity and various causes. Although, when you look at both examples, I think Kate Bush stands on her own. Someone perhaps more engaged for a number of different causes and charities. Whether it is speaking out about South Korean political prisoners or recognising the plight of homelessness in the U.K., Kate Bush is thinking of others. Someone who is very relatable. I think we consider her to be someone who maybe is in a privileged position and, like many major artists, does not really connect with those less fortunate. This is not the case with Kate Bush.
Right now, with what is happening in Gaza, one can only imagine how Kate Bush is reacting. I get the feeling that she will donate items or merchandise to raise money to help those affected. The genocide there got me thinking about Kate Bush and how, through the years, she has spoken against this kind of thing. The fact she donates money and time. I have not even mentioned all the times she gave her time for charity. Kate Bush has worked for numerous charity causes, including Amnesty International, Ferry Aid, Greenpeace, The Prince’s Trust, and Comic Relief. Also, in November 1979, Bush played a concert at the Royal Albert Hall in aid of the London Symphony Orchestra. I wanted to revisit this particular subject, as it is one of the bets things about Kate Bush. Giving her words, time and money for those less fortunate. Many big artists might feel conflicted or like they cannot get involved in some causes as it might seem political or they are choosing a side. For Kate Bush, she is about humanity and supporting those in need. It is amazing that, in 1990 – not too long after the release of The Sensual World -, Bush did a video for Amnesty International! Over thirty years later, she is still supporting those who are affected by warfare and violence. I think we will hear more from her when it comes to charity. Bush’s various charity work and support for humanitarian causes/relief has made me think more about what I can do. It is a time when we cannot afford to be inactive. Bush’s Christmas message nodded to the climate crisis and, although not explicitly, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. Since then, the genocide in Gaza has intensified. It is a horrible thing to witness. Thinking about Kate Bush and her past altruism and support of charities has inspired me. How she very much has sympathy for those around the world who are going through immense struggles and upheaval. The wonderful Kate Bush always gives…
ALL of her love.