On behalf of Barnardo’s may we thank you for visiting this website. We are optimistic that your initial interest shown will prove an enlightening one that motivates new levels of interest in, and support for Barnardo’s and the brass band movement throughout the United Kingdom.

The Barnardo’s Brass Appeal is a unique fund-raising initiative as it draws upon the extraordinary musical heritage of our charity and that of the banding community throughout the United Kingdom. The aim of the appeal is to encourage the two aspects of Barnardo’s and Brass to work as one for the benefit of both. The banding community has an established association with supporting charitable giving. We believe this is the first time that their help could be acknowledge on a national level. The way in which Barnardo’s will benefit from this relationship is through raised public awareness as well as receiving the net profits of monies raised at each event.

To date, creating opportunities for young instrumentalists to attend or play an important part in concerts featuring some of the finest soloists and established adult bands is the key element of the initiative. We believe these opportunities will enable each child or young adult to reach their own potential, thus providing the banding community with new players for the future.

Barnardo’s has, since the late 1960’s remained the home of several brass bands. The Fullwell Brass Band, Redbridge Brass, and currently the Becontree Brass Band have held their rehearsals in the Barnardo’s Church which is situated within the Head Office campus here in Barkingside. The church remains the religious focus of our charity and to the surrounding community it is a beautiful concert venue with fine acoustics and is used by many.

I am happy for Ian McKay in his role as founder/director of MAC Enterprise to co-ordinate and continue to develop Barnardo’s Brass as laid out in the Business Plan dated 18th June 2007. Barnardo’s Brass is not a subsidiary of Barnardo’s, we are happy to endorse and support Ian McKay, however as a free-lance fundraiser he does not act “on behalf of” Barnardo’s.

With over forty years in banding, Ian McKay has also been a long term supporter of Barnardo’s having worked on a professional level as a member of our fund-raising team and as an official volunteer Ian managed the high profile Barnardo’s Summer Fete for a number of years.

We believe he has developed an exciting project to work on and with a growing interest by various bands, organizations and individuals we hope that you will be able to support him in his endeavors to raise funds for our charity which is one of the UK’s largest children’s charities.

Yours sincerely,
Victoria Veats - Barnardo’s Head of UK Events