A remarkable team of 70 musicians, representing 22 different bands, took part in the recent Manchester 10k city run to help raise money for the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital (RMCH).
'Brooke's Barmy Army' has already risen well over their target of £12,000, which will help give the hospital facilities to allow parents to remain overnight with children receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Unit.
Back again
The event was organised by 15 year old Brooke Taylor and her team.
Brooke has been in and out of the RMCH all of her life, but last year walked the 10k course with her surgeon. This year she was back with 'Brooke's Barmy Army', made up of 60 performers and 10 runners from the brass band community.
Coming less than a week after the Manchester bombing, supporting the children's hospital seemed an even more worthy cause — and remarkably, all those who signed up completed the event.
The band also played a moving rendition of 'Abide With Me' following a minute silence before the start, as well as 'Don't Look Back in Anger' as they crossed the finish line. Videos of this on Facebook have now reached well over 250k views.
Power of friendship
Brooke said: "I've never been so grateful of what the power of friendship can do. The brass band community has once again spread its wonderful spirit to help a cause so close to my heart, to help hundreds of people.
I'm proud to say I'm from the brass band community and we couldn't have done this incredible achievement if we didn't have the tremendous support from everyone".
The brass band community has once again spread its wonderful spirit to help a cause so close to my heart, to help hundreds of peopleBrooke Taylor
Help
It is not too late to donate to Brooke's cause and you can find more details on the just giving page:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/BrookesBarmyArmy2017
You can also see the band in action at:
