Orchestra hits all the right notes for children's hospice
A Bristol school hosted a summer concert by one of the city’s premiere symphony orchestras to raise money for Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW).
The New Bristol Sinfonia Orchestra wowed the crowds with its ‘Painting a Picture’ musical performance at Redmaids’ School in Westbury-on-Trym.
The evening began with a picnic in the grounds of the school. During the concert artist in residence Rob Townley created colourful abstract paintings to iconic musical pieces such as Mendlessohns ‘Hebrides Overture’ and Mussorgskys ‘Pictures at an Exhibition’. There was also a silent auction and a raffle. Two of Rob’s pieces of work were included in the silent auction and raffle tickets were sold to win a hamper of items donated by local businesses.
The hamper included an abundance of gifts donated by local businesses including goodies from Tesco Westbury on Trym, a month’s membership to The Pauline Quirke Academy for performing arts and a two week pass for David Lloyd, Westbury on Trym.
There was a Grupo Lounge gift voucher, a £10 voucher from ‘We Make Bristol’, and tickets to the orchestra’s next concert in November.
The evening raised £1170 for Children’s Hospice South West.
This is the first time the orchestra has raised money for charity at one of its concerts. Orchestra bassoonist Diane Lee said: “Hearing the news of how much we were able to raise filled me with real joy and gladness - what a fabulous sum of money for such a wonderful charity.”
Children’s Hospice South West Area Fundraiser Amanda Leonard said: “Children’s Hospice South West exists to make the most of the lives of children and young people with life limiting conditions.
On behalf of the families that are supported by the Children’s Hospice South West and our Charlton Farm hospice in Wraxall we are truly grateful to the New Bristol Sinfonia for choosing to support us.
“This was a wonderful family event that included such creativity and warmth. An incredible amount of money was raised that evening, which could help fund a teenage weekend for when teenagers take over the hospice for a weekend of activities and memory making mayhem."