Verwood Concert Brass used the occasion of its recent Spring Concert to present a cheque for £1,000 to the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance Service.

No ordinary donation

It was no ordinary charitable donation either, but one that had special meaning for band member Robin Lock.

Back in May 2014 Robin, age 56, was taken seriously ill at work which resulted in the Air Ambulance rushing him to Southampton General Hospital where he underwent emergency open heart surgery for a life threatening aortic condition.

Thankfully Robin has made a full recovery, including playing in the band. However, during his convalescence, on doctor’s orders he was not allowed to play his cornet for five months — a great hardship given that he has enjoyed a lifetime of cornet playing, which included playing on the original recording of ‘The Floral Dance’.

Easy decision

Band conductor, Kevin Smith, explained to the packed audience that it has been ‘easy’ to choose the band’s charity for 2014 and that it was ‘a great pleasure’ to ask Robin to present the cheque.

Robin himself added: “I cannot express how grateful I am to the Air Ambulance Service as without them I am sure I wouldn’t be here today.

It is incredible that the service receives no State or NHS funding and survives purely on voluntary donations, so it is an honour to do our bit to help.”

I cannot express how grateful I am to the Air Ambulance Service as without them I am sure I wouldn’t be here todayRobin Lock

Extra

As well as the £1,000 donation from the band, the audience dug deep during the interval raising a further £246.