Yusef / Cat Stevens donates to Australian charities from world tour proceeds

Veteran British singer-songwriter and humanitarian Yusef / Cat Stevens has made sizeable donations to a number of Australian charities from profits generated by his A Cat’s Attic - Peace Train world tour.

Stevens has set aside $1 million for charities around the world to develop programs that give back to the community.

The first in Australia to gain support are drought-afflicted farmers through the Rural Aid Australia, elderly citizens through the Gallipoli Home Care Centre,  and cancer sufferers via the ‘Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre.

Others include Centre for Multicultural Youth, Indigenous Literacy Foundation, and Addison Road Community Centre Organisation and Concern Worldwide.

More will be announced in the coming weeks.

Yusuf said, “I believe that concerts are positive opportunities to receive as well as to give back, making people happy is what I love to do.”

At the end of last year, Australian promoter Paul Dainty and Moonshadow Australia brought Yusuf and his band to Australia and New Zealand.

They played nine sell-out shows, during which he performed songs from his current Grammy-nominated album Laughing Apple alongside hits as “Peace Train”, “Father & Son”, “Wild World” and “Morning Has Broken”.

As well as supporting these organisations, funds will also be channelled through international humanitarian organisation Penny Appeal to launch a new initiative directed towards health, education and emergency relief.

Peace Train buses and mobiles will soon begin rolling in Australia as well as the UK, South Africa, and other regions across the globe.

Penny Appeal’s global CEO Aamer Naeem comments “Yusuf has shown us over the years what a true humanitarian he is, we are honoured to be working alongside such an inspirational figure.

“Peace Train will help bring communities together, through compassion and love, spreading peace and putting others first."