Grade  One - A - Thon

£63,500 raised so far from sponsorship and Concert Proceeds!!!!!!! Thank You!

Dear fellow Goaters

Now the dust has settled after shaking the walls of Cambridge Corn Exchange, I thought I’d write to thank you personally for taking part in the 2011 Grade-One-A-Thon, in support of the SIA.

Firstly, the news is that the SIA have reached and are likely to exceed their target of raising £60,000 from the event. This means so much to a relatively small charity and I know that the SIA will be putting this money to immediate good use ‘in the field’.

 I was looking at some photos taken at the concert and I was struck by one particular thing. It was the smiles on everyone’s faces right across the ‘band’ (or should than be ‘banned’). The fact that you all have individually achieved so much, had great fun in the process, entertained the audience and raised so much money for a worthy cause, makes this a truly unique event. If you want to see some pictures, see the link to the SIA Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Spinal-Injuries-Association/186067575449 

For me, the whole event has been an inspiration and I’ve been truly humbled by the response from the Cambridge musical community, who have given up their time so generously to the cause. I’ve also been privileged to witness the untiring enthusiasm and organisational skills of the people behind the scenes and this list reads like the credits of a blockbuster movie. The GOAT committee worked tirelessly to make this event a success and to me, are an amazing team. I think special mention should also go to the ABRSM, whom, without their buy-in, we’d never have got the event off the ground.

Like me, many of you will have your own stories, anecdotes, pictures from the event and if you want to share them, please again, feel free to add them to the SIA Facebook page. Also, as you may be aware, the Just Giving pages are still up and running until 27^th May 2011, so it’s not too late to ask some folk who may be still willing to contribute. I’m sure a picture of you struggling with your ‘foreign’ instrument will be enough!

Yours, with love

Guy Llewellyn

Horn player, mediocre guitarist and SIA member,

Click here to see the list of participants - you can also sponsor them by clicking on their name which will take you to their Justgiving page.