David Rutley, the MP for Macclesfield, was one of the first people to congratulate Macclesfield Youth Band, after they were awarded £2,000 to help fund a scheme to encourage children with moderate or severe asthma to take up a brass instrument.

The band received the grant from Lloyds Bank, as part of its community fund, following a public vote last year.

Health support

Macclesfield Youth Brass Band was set up in 2005 and is a registered charity run by over 40 volunteers, including parents of band members and local musicians and consists of 120 members between the ages of 7 and 19 years, who are spilt into a Youth Band, Junior Band, Training Band and a drum corps.

The organisation is supported by the Paediatric Respiratory Service at Macclesfield General Hospital, who believe there are real health benefits for asthmatic children who take up playing a brass or wind instrument.

Training and support

With the funding, the band is hoping to recruit eight children over a two year period to learn to play a brass instrument, whilst Asthma Team Leader Elan Paton and young volunteers Elizabeth Taylor and Alice Waterhouse, both of whom are players in the youth band, will receive training in caring for children with asthma from the team at the hospital.

This is not the first time that the band has taken on such a project. Previous results were very positive, as participants reported measurable improvement in their breathing, as well as a reduction in the number of days off school due to asthma and improved sleep.

Great opportunity

Project Leader Elan Paton, whose son also plays in the Youth Band, told 4BR: “The band is very supportive of children with special health or learning needs, and this project provides a great opportunity for children with asthma to participate in something new that will also have a positive impact on their health.

We already know it works and that there is no reason why children with asthma cannot participate and progress really well in learning an instrument”.

this project provides a great opportunity for children with asthma to participate in something new that will also have a positive impact on their healthProject Leader Elan Paton

Fantastic

David Rutley MP (pictured with the band) added: “It’s fantastic to see Macclesfield Youth Brass band playing an important role in the lives of so many young people in the local community.

Playing a musical instrument has many positive educational, health and social aspects, so it is great to see the group going from strength to strength.

This funding is richly deserved, and I look forward to seeing the rewards of this work in the months and years ahead.”