On the 8th July I'll be taking part in the Etape du Tour where mere MAMILS and others get to emulate their heroes by riding a stage of the Tour de France - 169kms (104 miles) 4000m climbing, iconic climbs such as the Col de la Croix-Fry, I could go on.   (To add to the challenge;)) I’ll be riding it with my girlfriend who’s kindly covered all the costs of the event and trip so each pound I raise will be going to…

Paternoster School, for whom I am raising money to provide music therapy to the children at with a range of disabilities.
Music therapy is vital for children with profound difficulties to unlock the world around them. Music is a sensory experience – when music is played live, we not only hear the sounds but also feel the beat. Because of this, music is accessible to everyone, including those with significant disability.

For children who find communication difficult, music is a simpler way to communicate with others, allowing them to tap, toot or sing out their feelings. Music therapy can also be a key part of the children’s education – it can help them improve their listening skills, so they can engage better with others, and to reduce anxiety and other emotional difficulties, which helps them focus on other activities. 
To provide music therapy in the most effective way, Paternoster School is seeking to bring in a qualified music therapist once a week for a combination of group and individual sessions. This costs £10,000 a year to provide.

Depending on the child’s need therapy can:
- Develop communication and social skills
- Create an awareness of self and others
- Encourage self-expression
- Build confidence and self esteem
- Help the ability to manage feelings
- Reduce anxiety, tension and challenging behaviour
And, as for everyone, music brings the children enjoyment. 

Case study:
Due to a genetic condition, Imogen, 7, is totally blind and has a slight hearing loss. She has severe global development delay and uses a wheelchair. Being almost non verbal, she uses music as a way of expressing herself, as she finds lots of activities impossible or very challenging.

Not having any sight limits the type of stimulation she can engage in. One of the things music offer her is choice – by choosing either a squeaky star or a fluffy spider, Imogen can decide whether she wants to sing Incy Wincy Spider or Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Since starting music therapy Imogen has made noticeable progress. She will listen to someone else singing, and if they stop mid-way through a verse, she will automatically pick up where they left off – this type of listening and timing are key skills for Imogen. 

Music is quite simply Imogen's gateway to learning - without this, she would live in a quiet and isolated world.