Brass Bands England (BBE) has announced that it has launched a new campaign to financially help its member bands as the Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic emergency continues to escalate.

4BR was informed that it was BBE's priority to support the brass banding community during this time of crisis with the launch of a special crowdfunding campaign targeted to raise funds for its member bands with ongoing financial commitments.

Direct to member bands

In launching the campaign BBE stated: "Although the crowdfunding campaign is organised by us, by donating you are not donating to Brass Bands England directly, as all the funds will go directly to member bands that apply to access the hardship fund."

From Monday 20th April, bands will be able to apply for access to the funds raised, if they need help with any of the following costs.

1. Assistance with rent payments the band is committed to
2. Assistance with payments for contracted conductors
3. Assistance with payments for ongoing projects (i.e. set payments for commissions)

Concern

BBE Chief Executive Officer, Kenny Crookston told 4BR: "This is a very worrying time, and all of us at BBE are extremely concerned for the future of the many hundreds of bands that make up our vibrant community.

Many of these groups have ongoing commitments that will be impossible for them to meet with no income from engagements, so we will do whatever we can do to alleviate these problems.

Please donate as much as you can comfortably afford in the knowledge that every penny will go to brass bands throughout the country."

Evidence

Kenny conformed that documentary evidence will be requested to support all applications, which will be subject to approval by designated Brass Bands England Trustees, whose decision will be final.

Full details will be made available on the BBE website in due course (bbe.org.uk)

Many of these groups have ongoing commitments that will be impossible for them to meet with no income from engagements, so we will do whatever we can do to alleviate these problemsBBE CEO, Kenny Crookston

Campaign details

To see further details of the crowdfunding campaign, and donate to the fund go to www.chuffed.org/project/brassbandemergencyfund.

In addition to coordinating this particular campaign, BBE is also giving away some perks to people who donate including free tickets to events, and individual memberships.

They are also hoping to encourage bands to donate in kind to the cause by donating perks to add to the crowdfunding page — for example tickets to an upcoming concert or a CD.

Donate in kind

If your band is interested in donating any perks email Sarah Baumann on sarah@bbe.org.uk

To see further details of the crowdfunding campaign, and donate to the fund go to www.chuffed.org/project/brassbandemergencyfund

It was also confirm that further announcements and initiatives will be forthcoming from BBE.