A GROUP which helps people through the power of music has hit the right note for the Moray Friends of ARCHIE appeal.
‘The Sheddies’ play at the Moray Resource Centre in Elgin, which is for adults with physical and sensory disabilities.
They meet every Wednesday in the garden conservatory for a jamming session, and also on a Monday night, when other musicians join them.
Started about seven years ago as a music therapy group, The Sheddies have become well known and popular across Moray, playing in day centres, community hospitals, residential homes and many other venues.
"We also do the Christmas party and social evenings in the resource centre," said group member Henry Brown.
The group also comprises Robert Halpin, Elizabeth Calder, Anne and Ken Briscoe, James Dingwall, Alan Stewart, Ken Allan and Kenny Owens, who works at the centre.
Elizabeth added: "We buy all our own instruments and have also bought some other equipment for the band. Anything we make on our raffles we like to donate to worthwhile causes."
They have given £500 to the appeal to enhance the environment of the children’s ward at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin.
The friends group aims to pay for added extras such as beds for parents, family room, play room and other toys and play equipment for young patients. This will supplement a planned redevelopment of the 11-bed ward by NHS Grampian.
Six months after it was launched the appeal is progressing well and currently has raised in excess of £35,000.
The friends group is staging a May ball at the Mansefield Hotel in Elgin tonight (Friday) when the Bucc Band will provide the entertainment and there will be a charity auction in support of the appeal.
And on Sunday, June 3 the group will join other charities in the Cooper Park for the Elgin Rotary Motorfun event, part of a weekend Diamond Jubilee Celebration.
The group has also been donated two three day camping tickets to the Rock Ness music festival next month on the shores of Loch Ness.
Bids are being sought for the tickets, which would sell for around £170, either individually or as a pair. Bids should be sent to c.saunderson@northern-scot.co.uk
To find out more about the appeal find Moray Friends of ARCHIE on Facebook.
