Young Ceredigion musicians raise over £900 through Practice-a-thon

Young performers from schools across Ceredigion have been perfecting their music skills by getting sponsored to practice their instruments, as part of Ceredigion Music Service’s involvement in CLIC Sargent’s Practice-a-thon fundraising campaign.

Over 10 schools from across the region have taken part in the campaign since September 2011, with a wide range of instruments from wind to string. Fundraising has totalled over £900 to date, and the music service intends to continue to engage schools across the region for the entire academic year to raise as much as they can in support of CLIC Sargent, the UK’s leading cancer charity for children and young people. The final total for the year will be announced at the music service’s Junior Proms in June 2012.

One of the schools who have taken part so far is Mynach Primary School. The school only has around 20 pupils, but the four wind musicians of the school took on the challenge of practising their instruments everyday in return for sponsorship.

Penglais School has also seen some very talented musicians take on a Practise-a-thon. One Viola player at the school practised for two hours and 10 minutes per day, racking up an incredible 30 hours and 20 minutes practise. This was not just to raise funds for CLIC Sargent, but also to complete his Duke of Edinburgh community work target.

Elizabeth Summer Livsey, peripetetic teacher at schools across Ceredigion says, “The staff and I have discussed Practice-a-thon and are in complete agreement on how much it has helped the children involved. Some pupils have really flourished through their Practice-a-thon, whilst others have learnt the true value that practice brings. One little girl even decided to go performing around her village to show off how much she'd been practicing. We look forward to continuing our Practice-a-thons in support of CLIC Sargent this coming term.”

Practice-a-thon is a national fundraising campaign for young singers, dancers and musicians, of all abilities. Schools, 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.

Sophie Porfirio, CLIC Sargent Area Fundraising Manager for the South West & South Wales, said, “We want to say a big thank you to Elizabeth and all of the other peripatetic teachers and schools across Ceredigion for choosing to take part in Practice-a-thon and for taking part on such a large scale. We look forward to hearing the fantastic grand total in June. Currently CLIC Sargent can only help two out of three children and young people with cancer with our present level of funds – so support like this makes a real 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 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 www.clicsargent.org.uk/practiceathon or telephone 0845 120 6340.