In March, we travelled to Torquay to compete in the South West Brass Band Association Championships, playing Stephen Bulla's 'Chorale and Toccatta'. We worked extremely hard on this piece, as individuals and as a band, so we were delighted to be announced as the winners of the Third Section against fifteen other bands, in addition to being promoted to the Second Section.

This means we have been given the chance to compete in the National Championships of Great Britain in September, against the other winners of our section across England. This is an extraordinary achievement but we need your help. We now have a significant number of additional costs to enable us to take part in the Nationals.

Our expenses include but aren't limited to the entrance fee, the hire of a coach up and back (over £1,500), a practice room while we're up there (£200) and the cost of the actual test piece (£69.95). In addition to these costs, we have expenses that exist all year round but are of particular importance in the run up to a contest, to ensure we perform to the best of our ability. These include instrument repairs, valve oil, mutes and the maintenance and bills of the band room we practice in.

We are estimating the total cost of the trip to be around £2,500 with the entrance fee alone costing £375. This does not include overnight accommodation, meals or individual personal expenses - player's will be self-funding these. We are a registered charity so rely heavily on donations, not just to go to contests each year but to exist and function as a musical enterprise. We provide free musical tuition to anyone in and around Porthleven looking to play an instrument or learn how to read music. By making a donation, you are not only helping us go to Cheltenham but continue to educate the next generation of brass banders and future musicians.

This contest is of particular importance. We have only ever made it through to Nationals twice before and the band will take to the stage for the first time as a Second Section band next March. We are keen to continue our development as a band while representing a village we are proud of and serve as a free source of musical education.

Thank you so much to everyone who has supported us so far. We hope we make you proud, not just when we compete but through our reputation as a friendly, kind and welcoming band that is also hard-working and continues to perform to the best of our ability.

To follow our journey, check out our social media for updates: Facebook & Instagram