4 days ago
Music therapy charity raises £14,000 at Kendal Calling Festival
A charity based in Penrith has raised £14,000 to support its music therapy work.
Annie Mawson's Sunbeams Music Trust secured the donations during its first appearance at the Kendal Calling Music Festival, held at Lowther Deer Park.
The trust delivers community music therapy to more than 2,000 disabled and disadvantaged children and adults each month.
Ollie, a Sunbeams friend, with his dad, visiting to give support (Image: Sunbeams Music Trust) Jules Blundell, fundraiser for the charity, said: "It's more than raising money – it's about raising awareness.
"The conversations we've had over the weekend have just shown how many people believe in music being a force of healing, wellbeing, good health, inclusivity and bringing people together.
"Thank you also to all the community who came to say hello and support and visited the Sunbeams gazebo."
The trust credited the generosity of festival-goers and the support of Andy Smith and Ben Robinson, Kendal Calling directors.
Liesl rocks with a festival goer (Image: Sunbeams Music Trust) According to the charity, the funds raised will support it's eight specialist musicians to continue delivering Music for Life and Music for Dignity sessions.
These take place at the Sunbeams Music Centre, in more than 50 care homes and day centres, and online.
The charity said that the message at the heart of it's 33-year history, "bringing the power of music to Cumbria" was reaffirmed at the festival.
The trust thanked the volunteers connected with the charity, saying these 'tremendous' funds could not have been raised without their "passion, enthusiasm, and incredible commitment.
