Gloucestershire Academy of Music has been bringing music into the lives of young and old for the past 40 years and wants to put down permanent roots at its base in Barbican House, Gloucester. Since it moved into the council-owned building seven years ago, it has created an arts educational hub housing such diverse groups as African drumming, Gamelan workshops, ballet, Indian performing arts and The Flowers Brass Band.

Now the time has come for it to secure its future as a major cultural asset to the city and to Gloucestershire as it plans to raise £500,000 to buy the building.

I've been chair of GAM for the past 5 years and involved with its musical journey since 1981. This year is a significant one for me too as I celebrate my 70th birthday! I am going to run the Forest of Dean Half Marathon on Sunday September 26th and have given myself a target of raising £2,000 (£1 for every GAM student) to go towards the building fund.