Leeds drumming sensation KriStix, 24, raises money for charity through her popular online videos

With the Covid-19 crisis causing the cancellation of live gigs, Kristi Briggs - AKA KriStix Drumming decided to turn her attention online and began livestreaming her drumming sessions, hosting a chilled set on Sunday mornings and a more upbeat, party version on Friday nights.

Within weeks her followers on Facebook increased from 400 pre-lockdown to 4,000, with people logging on from countries including Australia, Zimbabwe, Croatia and India.

Two of her videos have also gone viral with one attracting over 200,000 views.

This month she has decided to harness the newfound attention for the greater good and is fundraising for Leeds' Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) after reading an appeal in the Yorkshire Evening Post.

So far she has raised £900 - though she hopes by the end of February to have raised £1,000 for the charity, which supports the congenital heart unit at Leeds Children's Hospital..

Kristi, 24, of Scarcroft, said she has been amazed by how her online sessions have taken off.

“It just goes to show how much people need music and as a bit of respite from their lives.

“I just started doing it to try and keep my toes in and maintain practice. It gave me structure and helped with my mental health but I didn’t realise it would help everyone else so much.

“People struggling with depression tell me they are looking forward to my lives. I have an open inbox policy too so anyone who wants to talk about anything can send a message.”

Despite the success, Kristi, who also works in a pet shop, admitted it has taken some getting used to - switching from performing to hundreds at weddings, functions and celebrity events, to just a mobile phone.

“I know some musicians find it difficult, to feed off nothing. But with my act, I do go a bit mad and I can see people commenting and people send little reactions and talk to each other. It’s like a support bubble. They keep me going as much as I keep them going.”

Kristi said she is hopeful of smashing the £1,000 target for CHSF.

“It’s going really well. I never thought I’d even get to £500. I just thought I’d try and get as much as I could and that would be great. The work they do is amazing."

And as much as she misses live gigs, she said she does enjoy this new way of performing.

“I get the chance to dress up in some heels, swish my hair around, blow off a bit of steam and talk to people. It’s just nice. I think I will be doing it for as long as I can and as long as people want me to.”

Sharon Milner CEO of CHSF said: “We are incredibly grateful to KriStix for using her percussion and musical skills to fundraise for CHSF throughout February.

Drumming is often seen as a male-oriented pursuit, so we also admire how aspirational this will be to our young female patients.”

To donate to Kristi's fundraiser visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kristixdrumming-chsf

*YEP's Have a Heart campaign

The Yorkshire Evening Post launched a Have a Heart campaign earlier this year, to help the Children's Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) reach its £1m target for donations in 2020.

The Fund raises provides vital support to the congenital heart unit at Leeds Children's Hospital.

Since the coronavirus pandemic hit, CHSF has been forced to issue an urgent plea for donations after losing a "significant portion" of its yearly income.

Visit www.chsf.org.uk/donate.

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