How Glastonbury supports local charities
Michael Eavis is patron of Somerset-based Children's World International
A human peace sign will be created at Glastonbury later - after a 'puppet sculpture procession' led by Bristol-based artist Dorcas Casey.
The main on site entertainment all starts tomorrow.
The special Peace Meditation will be led by Dr. Deepak Chopra, a New York Times best selling author and master of meditation - who the festival say 'will share his message of spirituality and consciousness'.
A spokesperson added: "After the short meditation, all are invited to join our peace procession which will be led out of the base of the Park area by evocative puppet sculptures made by Bristol-based artist Dorcas Casey, along with drummers, choir groups, performers and campaigners, communicating the key messages of Love, Unity, Joy, Peace, Power and Compassion. Everyone is welcome to join, and you are invited to bring a banner or sign with your own message to take with you along the route. Once the procession reaches the Kings Meadow, a human peace sign will be assembled, bringing everyone together to communicate our hope for a peaceful future."
The festival itself raises millions of pounds for charity and also pays community groups - rather than private companies - to be stewards to help them fundraise for local causes.
Paddy Hill is Director of Somerset-based 'Children's World International' which relies on donations from the festival to keep going.
The charity's founder Arabella Churchill also helped create the festival with Michael Eavis - who remains a patron - and during the festival they operate a backstage bar area for crew and performers which supplies roughly half of their income for the year.