In just over 4 months I will be running the Cardiff half marathon to raise funds for encore.

The Brighton & Hove Music service has supported me throughout my entire life and many many others. Since the council funding has been cut encore has been set up to try and raise funds to continue aiding families across Brighton and Hove to continue to have access to music and performing arts.

I would not be where I am without this fantastic service. It's hard to articulate without sounding insincere, but it has changed my life over and over again, and I want it to have the opportunity to keep doing so for current and future students.

Here's what encore does in relation to the music service:
Brighton & Hove Music & Arts (BHMA) provides high quality and inclusive music and arts education for all children and young people, and includes award winning Brighton Youth Orchestra. Our vision is for all children and young people in the city, whatever their background and financial situation, to be able to engage with, to enjoy, and to be inspired by high quality music and arts opportunities. encore was established in April 2015 as the fundraising vehicle for BHMA and has two objectives: to provide a network to engage with Brighton Youth Orchestra alumni and to raise funds in donations from supporters.

Funds raised are used to:

▪️ensure no young musician in Brighton & Hove is prevented from taking part in tours and courses due to financial circumstances via the BYO Hardship Fund

▪️purchase instruments for the BYO and other music ensembles

▪️support the most gifted musicians through extra tuition and master classes

▪️create new music ensembles, including an inclusive ensemble for children with special education needs and disabilities

Find out more at www.encorebh.org