Charity challenge hits right notes
Two music teachers have been scraping and squawking away on their new instruments as they aim to inspire students and raise cash for a food bank.
Jon Deakin and Chris Bunn, from Shrewsbury High School, have set themselves the challenge to learn a new musical instrument from scratch, and are raising money at the same time for Shrewsbury Food Bank.
The musical duo came up with the idea as a personal challenge and as a way to inspire their students that, with commitment and practice, you can learn a new instrument at any age.
Mr Deakin said: “Mr Bunn has been keen to learn the clarinet for many years, as other members of his family also play it. For me, it has been a life-long dream to learn how to play the cello as it is one of the most beautiful instruments.
"However, after reflecting on the size of the cello, I decided to learn the violin instead.
“After six weeks of scratching, scraping, squeaking and squawking our way through our new challenge, we are both preparing to take our Grade Two exams in March. We are aiming to achieve Grade Five on our new instruments by the end of the calendar year.
“As well as this being a personal challenge, we are raising money for Shrewsbury Food Bank at Barnabas Church Centre in Shrewsbury to try and help some of the most vulnerable members in our community.
"The past 12 months have been difficult for everyone and we would love to give our support during this time.
“We are aiming to raise as much money as possible throughout 2021, with a view to submitting our donation at the start of December to aide Barnabas throughout the Christmas period.
“We would absolutely love to surpass our target of £500 and we are already half way there, and we would be very grateful for any amount of support – big or small – towards hitting this goal.
“We will be posting regular updates, vlogs and exam certificates throughout the challenge on our school Instagram page.”
To follow their progress and donate visit shrewsburyhigh.gdst.net
