Practice-a-thon Fundraiser

[Bob Jefferson]

Sorry, meant to post this earlier but still time to donate.

YOUNG PORTOBELLO MUSICIANS TUNE UP FOR PRACTICE-A-THON FUNDRAISER IN AID OF YOUNG CANCER PATIENTS

Young performers from Portobello Music School and Towerbank Primary School in Portobello, Edinburgh are perfecting their music skills with a special sponsored practice-a-thon as part of CLIC Sargent’s Practice-a-thon fundraising campaign.

Around 250 music pupils from Portobello Music School and Towerbank Primary School are taking part in a two-week practice-a-thon starting on 14th November. They hope to raise £2000 in support of CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people.

The Practice-a-thon fundraiser will involve children practicing their instrument or voice for at least 15 minutes every day for the whole two weeks. There will be prizes for the child who practices most in each instrument category and a special prize for the child who practices in the most imaginative and unusual location.

Brian Cope, Director of Portobello Music School said: “We all love music and you can’t beat the feeling you get after practising and benefiting from the results. Practice-a-thon is a great way for us to practise our skills, feel great, and raise money for a really important cause at the same time. As music teachers we are always looking for innovative ways to motivate our pupils to establish a regular practice routine at home. Through taking part in CLIC Sargent’s Practice-a-thon we find that our children really get on board because they know that their dedicated efforts are helping children less fortunate than themselves. The added bonus is that the children and their parents really get to see how much musical progress can be achieved in such a short time with regular practice.

In 2010, Portobello Music School pupils raised over £2000 during their Practice-a-thon. They managed to raise individual amounts ranging from £5 to £500 and everything in between.  This year they hope to raise £2500 with 75% going to CLIC Sargent. The other 25%, which CLIC Sargent give participants the option to keep will be matched by Portobello Music School and donated to their host school, Towerbank Primary School to contribute towards a wonderful new 30-piece Samba Kit which will enable the school to create its own afterschool Samba Band for the benefit of their pupils.

There are many ways in which people can donate this year including:
 
Online
http://www.justgiving.com/Portobello-Music-School
 
Mobile Text
To: 70070
VPUH73 (followed by the amount e.g. £5)

Practice-a-thon is a national fundraising campaign for young singers, dancers and musicians, of all abilities. Schools and youth clubs and groups across the UK are encouraged to hold their own sponsored music, dance or singing event and raise money for young cancer patients, and their families. Participants also have the option of keeping 25% of the funds raised.

Emma Bashford, CLIC Sargent Event Fundraising Manager for Scotland East, said: “We want to say a big thank you to Portobello Music School and Towerbank Primary School for choosing to take part in Practice-a-thon and we wish them the best of luck for their event. Lack of funds means that CLIC Sargent can only help two out of three children and young people with cancer – that’s why your support makes such a difference.”

Over the last seven years, 300,000 people have taken part in a Practice-a-thon music, dance or singing event for CLIC Sargent and schools and youth groups and clubs across the UK have raised over £900,000 so far.

For more information about Practice-a-thon, or to register to take part visit http://www.clicsargent.org.uk/practiceathon or telephone 0845 120 6340