In June 2017, two of our dearest friends, Ben and Elly, had a beautiful boy who was adorable in every way. Oscar’s smile could light up the biggest of rooms. Sadly, he passed away after just six months, so it’s in his precious memory that I’ll be trekking the Great Wall of China for 4 days in May from Huangyaguan to Beijing. Elly kindly sent me the words below, which explain what a brilliant cause you will be giving to. Thank you so much for your support. Love Anna x

Oscar’s love for listening to music was just like any baby. His particular favourite was his mummy and daddy’s rendition of ‘Horsey horsey don’t you stop’, with his face lighting up to being jigged in time with the song. But Oscar was very different to most babies, as he was born with a rare life limiting genetic condition, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) type 1. This affected the ability of his muscles to work, so he couldn’t move or hold his head up, let alone sit or begin to crawl. Thankfully though, it had no affect on his intelligence or senses, which is why music brought him such joy.

A stay in Leicester Royal Infirmary in November for a chest infection due to his weak respiratory muscles, was the last place we thought we would see Oscar smile from ear to ear at seeing and hearing live music for the first time. Oscar was in isolation away from the rest of the children in the ward, but this didn’t stop Richard and Oli from Opus donning gloves and aprons to include Oscar in the fun. Oscar listened and smiled to ‘Twinkle twinkle little star’ and the lyrics ‘Don't worry about a thing, ‘cause every little thing’s gonna be alright’ I think was more reassuring for us as parents than Oscar. We even got a sneaky request in for ‘Horsey horsey!’ Opus gave Oscar happiness and entertainment, but also gave us precious memories as a family.

Oscar was admitted back into the same room, on the same ward less than a month later, but unfortunately this time he didn’t get to go home with us, as the cruel effects SMA was having on his little body was just too much for him this time. Oscar passed away on 19th December 2017, 6 months old. We have cherished the memories and videos of Oscar’s joy and wonder at the instruments and singing, and we can’t thank Opus enough for creating them.

‘Aunty’ Anna asked us if she could raise some money in Oscar’s memory, and Opus came to mind straight away. I would love to help more children find such joy where they would least expect it in hospital.

A BIT MORE ABOUT OPUS MUSIC

Music-making has been proven to support the health and wellbeing of hospitalised patients, their visitors and staff, however it is still largely funded by grants and donations.

OPUS Music is a Community Interest Company, specialising in taking music-making to hospitals across the East Midlands, including Derby, Leicester, Nottingham and Kings Mill Hospitals, as well as CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) settings in Nottingham.

OPUS Musicians play music for and with patients, their visitors and staff on children's and neonatal intensive care units, as well as older people's, stroke and dementia care wards.

OPUS also delivers highly acclaimed training to professional musicians from across the UK and beyond, alongside year-long apprenticeships to support the development of this practice across the UK. Over the past few years, OPUS has supported the development of new practices across the UK, in hospitals including Great Ormond Street and Alder Hey Children's Hospitals.