The Butlin¹s fund Brass for Mbale proved to be a great success at
this year's Butlins Mineworkers National Open Brass Band Festival 2014,
which took place in the Butlin¹s resort, Skegness on 17- 20 January
2014.
Through the generosity of the attending players and supporters, the
initiative raised over £1,300.00 to help with the development of the
revolutionary youth brass band project in Mbale, Uganda.
Following the fund¹s introduction at the 2013 Festival, this year has
seen the Brass for Mbale fund gain significant momentum. The amount
raised, through a variety of initiatives during the weekend, together
with donations of instruments and donations all indicate a wider
understanding of the
project in Mbale, and a greater appreciation of the immense
opportunities it offers the 500+ young brass and percussion players
across the district and within the Mbale Youth Brass Band itself, who
will directly benefit from this additional support. Festival Director,
Steve Walker, commented: ³It¹s been heart-warming to see the attending
bands support this cause. Funds have been raised from general donations,
participation in the ŒBlow for Mbale with Brett Baker's Graduation
Band, sales from music sets of the Mbale March, entry into a prize draw
and sales from branded leisurewear - it¹s been great to offer a variety
of ways to engage the Festival attendees, and to help build awareness
about the amazing difference their contributions will make to the
youngsters associated with the youth brass band project being run by
Philip Monk in Uganda.
"I am extremely grateful to the businesses who have also shown their
support during the weekend, including ŒYour Logo Here for providing the
official leisurewear, The Music Company for offering £200 worth of music
for the prize draw - congratulations to the winner Bruce Harris of
Enderby Band - and to Kirklees Music for donating the parts and sets of
Mbale March, which featured in the Blow for Mbale event, conducted by
its composer Peter Bray. We were also very grateful to World of Brass,
which donated a full set of hymn books to the Mbale Youth Brass Band a
hymn collection that will
greatly expand their performance rehearsal repertoire."
Steve Walker continued: "Now that the fund has truly established itself,
we will be developing further opportunities for bands and individuals
to get involved this is not only an annual fund-raising initiative,
it¹s a fund that looks set to continue throughout the year and into the
future. We will be developing our social media coverage and building a
website with information about the project, outlining ways to get
involved. It will also offer options for donations to be made, as well
as an online shop where branded merchandise and Mbale March music sets
can be purchased."
He concluded: "Brass for Mbale is an
ideal opportunity for us all to really help these fellow brass band
youngsters - they have to face so many daily challenges, but through our
mutual interest in brass band music, we can make a huge difference to
their future. This weekend has shown that UK brass
bands and their supporters are generous people with big hearts let's
keep this going and help build further awareness about the project, and
the ways we can all be of help to this wonderful initiative
that brings
so many positive aspects to so many young lives."
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