ALTSO's Rocktoberfest-London

By: The WFE Focus Team Jun 2019

On Wednesday 19 June, the financial community in London Rocked For Good at 8 Northumberland Avenue, in support of the charity A Leg To Stand On (ALTSO) at their signature benefit, Rocktoberfest-London.

Recognised as one of the most unique and effective events in the philanthropic and alternative investment industries, Rocktoberfest provides a platform for like-minded professionals to unite and rock in support of ALTSO’s mission. A global phenomenon that unites more than 2,750 professionals from the financial services industry, ALTSO’s Rocktoberfest-London celebrated its second year, and will celebrate its 16th anniversary in New York City and 8th anniversary in Chicago this October.

The London event hosted live bands, whose performers were moonlighting from their day-jobs in high finance. The bands had been raising funds for the last several months in competition to win the prime time-slot of the night. Alongside The Overgrounds, the winning band, the event included performances from ALTSO All Stars, Sunday Mornings, and an opening act by ONUR.

Sponsors of the night included, BNF Capital, CGI, SteelEye, Talan LLC, Equita, GlobeTax, Kreston Reeves, Lombard Odier, Lyxor Asset Management, Margo Group, Paysafe, Peregrine, Wavestone and Sandler Capital.

A team of volunteers headed by Selby Jennings and Phaidon International, encouraged guests to donate via ALTSO’s GLOW campaign. Each GLOW stick purchased was a donation that correlated to a treatment provided by ALTSO.

Funds raised through ALTSO’s Rocktoberfest series support the charity’s mission to provide, free, life-changing prosthetic limbs, orthotic braces, and appropriately fitted wheelchairs to children living with limb disabilities in the developing world. ALTSO’s mission is to offer their patients, known as the CoolKids, the physical capabilities needed to access opportunities and develop the self-esteem that is felt as a result of mobility, which also includes access to education and gainful employment, as well as developing the tools to live self-sufficiently. ALTSO does so at the average cost of only £200 per CoolKid.

Due in large to the ongoing series, the charity has treated more than 18,000 children in Asia, Africa and Latin America since its inauguration in 2002. One such CoolKid is Bhupendra.

Thirteen years ago, ALTSO met eight-year old Bhupendra, who was born without his right leg below his knee. Since his birth, Bhupendra’s parents, who earned less than £5 a day, had desperately, but unsuccessfully, tried to save to afford his treatment. Their gratitude upon learning ALTSO would provide Bhupendra with not only one prosthetic limb, but every single prosthesis he would need as he grew, was comparable only to Bhupendra’s own excitement. The first thing he did upon being treated was jump for joy (landing on two feet!). The second thing he did was walk to school for the very first time.

Now 21, Bhupendra has received 24 prosthetic limbs under ALTSO’s continuous care and is set to graduate university with a BS in Chemistry. In 2018, Bhupendra’s drive to succeed inspired ALTSO to increase the age of patients treated to 21. That’s GrowingUpALTSO; ALTSO’s commitment to providing ongoing free orthopedic care to their CoolKids as they continue to grow, ensuring that their CoolKids maintain and improve their mobility, and have all the opportunities that this offers.

For more information on the organisation’s impact or events, visit www.altso.org, or write to [email protected].


  • Bhupendra, aged 21. 

  • Sreyly, one of ALTSO's CoolKids.

  • ALTSO's Rocktoberfest-London, 19 June 2019.

  • ALTSO's Rocktoberfest-London, 19 June 2019.

  • ALTSO's Rocktoberfest-London, 19 June 2019.