Butlins will be supporting the inspirational ‘Brass For Mbale Fund’ at the forthcoming Mineworkers Championship to be held in Skegness next weekend.

Enjoy music

Founded in 2007 by Philip Monk, (formerly of Waterbeach Brass), the charity supports the first brass band in Uganda that can sit down and enjoy reading and playing music from properly printed parts.

The Mbale Schools Band currently has very little in the way of equipment, their instruments are in desperate need of repair, whilst music is desperately hard to come by.

Adversity

All the children have their own tales of hardship and struggle, but they battle through adversity to come and play with a smile on their face. None of them have breakfast and only a few can afford something simple for lunch.

Most survive on one evening meal a day of maize porridge and beans, whilst half sleep on the floor and many have no blankets and only one change of clothes. Eight youngsters have lost at least one parent to HIV/Aids or other diseases.

Self esteem

Teaching a child a musical instrument is not just about the playing: It’s also an opportunity for a child to develop a sense of self-esteem, and the responsibilities that come with being part of a team.

In Uganda the children learn about discipline, concentration and, most importantly, a feeling of belonging to something that matters to them and each other.

Many children have family and home problems and turn to the band for help. Full band rehearsals are rare because there are always children who are sick.

Urgent medical issues

One young child called Philip recently had to deal with urgent medical issues and children with no food to eat. TB, malaria, diarrhoea, ulcers, flu, sickle cell disease are common health problems caused by poor nutrition in children that simply don’t get enough to eat on a diet that lacks essential vitamins.

If you feel that you can help in any way please come and meet Philip at the ‘Brass For Mbale Stand’ in the Skyline Trade VillageButlins Organisers

Aims

The Butlins ‘Brass For Mbale Fund’ has two primary aims.

1. To support and develop the first sitting-down, reading-music program for schools in Uganda.

2. To give medical assistance to children who need treatment but whose parents have no money to pay.

The distribution of funds is achieved through Philip Monk in Uganda Philip Monk.

Philip lives in Mbale and can ensure all funds are spent properly and wisely to those in the greatest need.

You can help!

If you feel that you can help in any way please come and meet Philip at the ‘Brass For Mbale Stand’ in the Skyline Trade Village.

If any bands have any old/second hand instruments that they are able to donate, please bring them along to Butlins and take them to either Philip Monk at the ‘Brass For Mbale Stand’ or David and Graham Horsfield at the Kirklees Trade Stand.