The Big Give Christmas Challenge 2022
This year we are taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge between Tuesday 29th November and Tuesday 6th December 2022 to raise funds for the music holiday clubs we deliver in some of the region’s most disadvantaged or isolated communities.
Alongside our work providing music in 12 schools during term time, the holiday clubs allow children, whatever their circumstances, the chance to enjoy a free day of singing and music in a relaxed environment during the school holidays. Children get to meet and perform with professional musicians, have fun, and develop their musical talent.
Donations to the holiday clubs will be generously matched by the Big Give’s Champions during the campaign, meaning any funding will go twice as far.
General Manager Cathy Grant explains: “Our holiday clubs have been a huge success so far and we’re keen to keep them going into 2023. We decided to team up with the Big Give Christmas Challenge to raise funds to increase the number of clubs we can run. It costs us just over £4,000 to put on five day-long holiday clubs throughout the year, around £800 per club. As we usually get over 30 children at each club, that works out at only £26 per child for a full day of high quality, inclusive, musical activity (and childcare) – we think that’s pretty good value! We’d like to thank Four Acre Trust for helping this year by providing match funding for any money we raise.”
A teaching assistant from Easterside Academy, Middlesbrough, commented after one holiday club: “What an amazing day our children had on Wednesday, it was filled with fun, energy, zest and a love of music. I do believe we have several developing drummers! The Trash Bang Man made a huge impression on every child; parents were extremely proud of them and the stunning performance to close a successful day was priceless. Thank you all for the fantastic opportunity, it was a pleasure to support such a sensational event.”
Mezzo Soprano Kathryn Rudge is supporting the Foundation in its cause. She recently attended one of the clubs and commented: “I was thrilled to visit and to be invited to be a part of a Music Holiday Club. I was so impressed to hear the children’s performances of the songs they had learned during the day and really inspired by their beautiful singing, harmonies and dancing! The special memories and friendships that are made through singing, making music and performing together during childhood stay with you forever - and it was wonderful to see this happening for the children in Pickering.”
We hold our clubs in areas of high deprivation or areas that are considered to be isolated from other musical services. For example, at the recent holiday club in Middlesbrough, 45% of children attending were in receipt of means-tested free school meals.