I’m excited to be taking part in the Great Birmingham 10K Run on Sunday 3rd May as part of a team raising funds for the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. I was introduced to orchestral music at a young age and it has given me inspiration, joy and comfort ever since. The CBSO is determined to ensure that everyone in Birmingham is able to have such wonderful experiences.

Every single school child in Birmingham is offered the chance to attend a special free CBSO concert. The CBSO Community Board, of which I’m a member, reaches out to groups that would not normally experience classical music and helps create new initiatives like the Qawwali project. Every summer, ‘CBSO in the City’ takes musicians to public places in Birmingham so that people can hear them for free.

The CBSO is an exceptional orchestra, moving audiences at home and internationally too. In all it does, the CBSO inspires the musicians and audiences of the future.

In recent years, cuts in spending for the arts have made it much harder for the CBSO to continue all it does. I hope you’ll feel able to donate so that their inspiring work can continue for future generations.

Thank you so much for your support.