Cloth Cat has long believed in the power of music which has the ability to pull together all the social, cultural and cognitive benefits for those participating in its activity.

Youth Music also affirms these views: "Music as a discipline has a myriad of cognitive benefits. According to Nadim, “at its core, music education nurtures essential skills like memory retention, attention span, and language development."

"Music education is a highly social and interactive experience that instils the value of teamwork in students. “Ensembles, choirs, and bands need to work in tandem, listen to their peers, and contribute towards a common objective” (Nadim Nsouli, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Inspired Education)"

Jon Scully is one of the amazing people we have come to know and work with over the last couple of decades through his work in jazz bands and as a tutor, and he is putting his mouth (and his feet!) on the line as he undertakes this mammoth challenge and has been training for many months now. As their website explains, the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge is a 24-mile (38.6km) circular route in the Yorkshire Dales National Park that requires summiting Pen-y-ghent (694m), Whernside (736m), and Ingleborough (723m) with 1,585m (5,200ft) of total ascent. The traditional goal is to complete this demanding trek in under 12 hours" so this will have to be a peak performance!

Jon explains more about the project:

"Music education is failing our kids. Of the 6 finalists from the 2024 BBC Young Musician of the Year, not one was from a state school. This is not because these children lack talent, but because they lack opportunity.

When I was a kid, music education was free and that meant people from every background could get involved. Brass bands have always provided opportunities for these kids, particularly those from working-class backgrounds. This project will continue this proud tradition and get kids into making music."