Opera star Lesley Garrett backs Rotherham charity

INTERNATIONAL opera star Lesley Garrett is hitting the high notes as she supports a major new fundraising campaign by one of South Yorkshire’s top charities.

Lost Chord, the Rotherham organisation that provides interactive musical experiences for people struggling with dementia in care homes and day centres both across the region and nationally, is launching the High Notes Appeal, a campaign to raise more than £100,000.

And Doncaster diva Lesley will be attending the launch of the appeal at Sheffield United’s Platinum Suite at noon on Thursday, September 30.

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Organisers are aiming to involve businesses, schools and the community groups of South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire and North Derbyshire in this new initiative by recently appointed fundraising manager Tina Harrison.

The campaign’s exact figure of £103.400 will provide concerts by a team of professional musicians at 40 homes across the region each month for the coming year, taking 40 homes off the waiting list.

“Although we are small we pack a big punch, affecting the lives of more than 1,000 people every month,” said Lost Chord’s chief executive, Helena Muller.

“Professional trained musicians provide more than 800 interactive concerts each year, operating in more than 70 residential care homes in South Yorkshire, North Nottinghamshire, London, Cardiff and Coventry

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“Our musicians use a variety of instruments and styles to produce a programme designed to stimulate responses from people living with dementia who may be unable to walk, talk, feed themselves or communicate in any other way.”

It costs Lost Chord, whose other celebrity patrons include Sir Cliff Richard and Dame Vera Lynn, £200,000 annually to maintain its current programme of events but the new appeal would help safeguard concerts at another 40 homes.

“Remember, dementia could affect your mum or dad, your granny or granddad,” said Helena. “Dementia can touch us all and that’s why we want to get the whole community involved in fundraising.

“Whether you’re a business, a school or a community group, there’s something you could be doing to support Lost Chord - and that means making life better for dementia sufferers!”

To find out more about the Lost Chord High Notes appeal and how you could get involved call the charity’s fundraising manager, Tina Harrison, on 01909 563335 or visit: www.lost-chord.org.uk