Big Give Christmas Challenge
I am delighted to confirm that we reached our £3000 Pledge Target on August 31. A huge thank you to all the wonderful Friends who supported us!
We will be notified between September 17 and October 5 as to whether we have been offered Champion funds. Once I have received notification, I shall commence the next stage of fundraising with an aim to securing £6000 in online donations during the the Christmas Challenge, which runs from midday Tuesday 27th November to midday Tuesday 4th December. So here’s hoping that we’ll manage to raise our overall target of £12,000 which will fund numerous care home concerts from late December onwards!
Recent Feedback
St Michael’s Hospice, Hereford (Downside Up – July 2017)
It was a privilege for us to have you visit and to play such amazing music for the patients. The music was deeply appreciated in both parts of the hospice. The gentleman listening on the ward from his bed had not been out of his room for 2 -3 weeks until that day. So sincere thanks to you all and I hope you will consider coming to play again for us at some point.
Mill House, Chipping Campden (Downside Up – Jan 2018)
The music had both a calming and rousing effect depending on what was played. The residents loved the music and it was the most attended event in over 6 months. The most positive effect was stimulating memories and later, over dinner, this lead to many a conversation. Importantly the residents still remember and talk about this activity as somehow this event has resonated with them which is most unusual as most of our residents struggle with short-term memory.
Requesting and Attending Care Home Concerts
I inform Richard Wainwright when we are visiting homes and ESO Friends are always welcome to attend, providing I know in advance in order to clear it with the Home’s Manager. Likewise, if any ESO Friends have relatives or friends in nearby homes, please contact me as, funds permitting, I’ll do my best to arrange a visit from one of our ensembles.
Fundraising
I am hoping, however, to raise £12,000 through this year’s Big Give Christmas Challenge and your support, however large or small will be more than welcome when the Challenge goes live between November 27 and December 4.
No of Concerts performed in current year – 21
Mary Stevens
