The Vicar of Hull’s historic Holy Trinity Church has thanked business leader David Kilburn for delivering a wonderful boost for the transformation of the city’s most amazing place from the proceeds of Sir Rod Stewart’s recent sell-out show.

Mr Kilburn, Executive Chairman of Hull-based MKM Building Supplies, secured a performance in Hull by music legend Sir Rod Stewart during his nationwide tour, by underwriting the costs of the concert at the city’s KCOM Stadium in June.

Mr Kilburn also announced that any proceeds from the event after costs were covered would be shared between the Holy Trinity development project and the Daisy Appeal, based at Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, which funds life-saving health facilities and research.

The Holy Trinity Development Trust and Daisy Appeal have now been informed they will each receive £146,000.

The Vicar of Holy Trinity, the Rev Canon Dr Neal Barnes, said: “Everyone connected with the church is so grateful to David and his company and overwhelmed by their generosity in supporting the exciting transformation of Holy Trinity.

“Hull had not staged a concert on this scale for many years and it would simply not have happened without David’s persistence and financial commitment.

“Bringing Sir Rod to Hull was an absolute coup for the city and it was tremendous that the event was so well supported.

“It’s simply wonderful that such a brilliant occasion, attended by 25,000 people, has resulted in such a major boost for our project and for the vital work of the Daisy Appeal. A very special night will leave a lasting legacy for the city.”

Holy Trinity Development Trust Chair John Robinson said: “We simply can’t thank David and his colleagues at MKM enough for nominating the Holy Trinity development project as one of the beneficiaries from the Sir Rod Stewart concert and now delivering this marvellous financial boost for our work.

“We have been fortunate to enjoy support and generosity from so many individuals and organisations, including many businesses and business people. Every single one of them has made a valuable contribution to putting Holy Trinity at the centre of the regeneration of our great city.

“This latest donation is one of the largest single sums contributed towards our target of £4.5m to deliver the project in full. It’s a great boost for everyone involved and I’m sure it will also inspire others to come on board to turn our exciting plans into reality.”

The Sir Rod Stewart concert proceeds are the latest major contribution to the development project which will enable the magnificent 700-year-old church to replace outdated and inadequate facilities, become accessible to the whole community and host a wider range of spiritual, cultural and social events.

The changes at Holy Trinity will act as a catalyst for the regeneration of Hull’s Old Town and create new income streams to secure a long-term sustainable future for the church as a spectacular, vibrant and welcoming place of worship and community use.

The first phase of the project, which is well under way, includes re-uniting the grounds of the church with the redeveloped Trinity Square. Proposals for the next phase would see the nave of the church remodelled to create a fabulous and flexible open space for worship, cultural events and performances.

A wide range of activities are contributing to the Holy Trinity fund-raising drive. The latest initiatives include an appeal for people to donate or dedicate new chairs for the church and an inspiring challenge by local business leaders to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

Supporters are being encouraged to make a donation of £150 to dedicate a chair with a special plaque fixed to the back. Holy Trinity aims to purchase 600 chairs to accommodate a full range of services, events, banquets and performances within the remodelled church.

To find out how you can dedicate a chair or preserve a pew go to www.holytrinityhull.com/chairsandpews e-mail development@holytrinityhull.com or phone 01482 224460

A group of business leaders from Hull-based companies have also come together in a mission to raise £100,000 for the rejuvenation of Holy Trinity. They will tackle the ascent of the world’s fourth highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, climbing 20,000 ft (5,895 metres) to the top of the snow-capped peak during a 10-day expedition next month.

To find out more about the Holy Trinity Kilimanjaro challenge and support the fund-raising drive go to www.htdoeskili.com

Supporters can also contribute at https://campaign.justgiving.com/charity/htdevelotpment/htdoeskili