Over 70 brass band supporters and players will be marching with 16 year-old Brooke Taylor through the streets of Manchester today as 'Brooke's Barmy Army' — with the hope of raising £22,000 for the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital (RMCH).
Brooke has been a patient at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital since the day she was born, and has become an incredible fundraiser to a place she calls her 'second home'.
Relevant target
She is also a member of Pemberton 'B', Wigan Youth and the Greater Manchester Youth Brass Bands and, in 2017, came up with the idea of marching the Manchester 10k course with a brass band.
Completing the 6.2-mile route in just 2 hours 22 minutes, they raised a massive £20k to fund reclining chairs on the hospital's Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.
This year they hope to beat that target by raising funds for a Blood Rapid Infuser, a project that is very relevant following last year's Manchester terror attack. It warms blood when transfusing it to reduce the chance of causing hypothermia.
BBE support
Following last year's incredible success, more people have joined in to support her, with Brass Bands England among them, as Chairman Mike Kilroy told 4BR: "It's great to see the support for Brooke again this year.
It's such a worthy cause and our team at BBE are so passionate about supporting people in all their endeavours and projects that they continue to do so in their free time!"
This year BBE's Relationship & Partnership Development Manager, Alex Parker will be with the group who will comprise members and supporters of a wide variety of bands.
I've been bowled over by the number of new people wanting to join the Barmy Army, and I'm sure their enthusiasm and commitment to the cause will enable us to hit this year's ambitious targetBrooke Taylor
Wonderful spirit
Meanwhile, Brooke added: "The brass band community has once again spread its wonderful spirit to help a cause so close to my heart and to help hundreds of people.
I've been bowled over by the number of new people wanting to join the Barmy Army, and I'm sure their enthusiasm and commitment to the cause will enable us to hit this year's ambitious target."
Donate and help
If you'd like to help Brooke's Barmy Army reach their £22k target then please visit Brooke's JustGiving page at:
