A youth music group has received funding to support their safe return to teaching from a charity set up in memory of a Manchesterbombing victim.
Eilidh’s Trust was created in memory of Eilidh MacLeod, the 14-year-old musician from the Isle of Barra who died in the Manchester Arena attach in May 2017.
Now the organisation has awarded a £1500 grant to North Lanarkshire group Reeltime Music, which has been grappling with the continued effects of the pandemic.
The money will be put to use to continue Reeltime’s weekly music workshop for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
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Ryan Currie, project manager of Reeltime Music, said: “We were delighted to hear that Eilidh's Trust felt our project worthy of funding.
“When we first read about the trust, we were both saddened by Eilidh's story and inspired by its aim to ‘enable young people and children to continue Eilidh's musical journey’.
“We intend to do Eilidh proud by creating opportunities for some of the most disadvantaged young people to access music opportunities and build their confidence and self-esteem in the process.”
The funding will also help other local youth music and performance initiatives to return to in person tuition, group lessons, public performances and competitive events after lockdown has restricted their ability to meet and learn in groups.
It has already allowed the groups to restart in-person teaching during the autumn.
However, with the recent rise in covid cases, they will be considering how to safely continue delivering lessons over the coming weeks using the funding.
It will also help pay tuition costs and cover travel expenses to attend lessons, as well as help make up for an inability to fundraise in traditional ways.
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Eilidh’s Trust founder, Suzanne White said: “We are delighted to be making this funding available to Reeltime Music and helping these young musicians and performers to continue to grow in their musical skills.
“We know that it will support them in doing something they love and thrive in.
“At Eilidh’s Trust we understand the challenge groups like Reeltime have faced and we want to ensure support is there for when they can safely deliver in person sessions.
“The past 21 months have proved to be tough for many youth music groups across Scotland with the pandemic continuing to have an impact.
“Not only has their ability to meet in groups been curtailed but their traditional ways of fundraising were also put on hold, things they are still grappling with today.
“This made restarting teaching difficult for so many groups across the country.
“While many continued to teach online, nothing can replace the additional benefits that come with safe in-person tuition where the young musicians and performers are able to develop their social and citizenship skills as well as grow in confidence.”
The trust supports music education for young people reflecting Eilidh’s own love of music and her musical ability and enjoyment as a piper with the local Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band.
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