Mozart concert is music to the ears of disability charity

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with half share of £7000 donations.........

A classical music concert held on the 250^th anniversary of Mozart’s birth, has raised over £7,000 for two London charities, the Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability and the Home of Compassion.

Over 300 music enthusiasts attended the All Saints Church in Weston Green to enjoy a celebration of Mozart’s life, and hear the London Primavera Orchestra and Chorus perform Mozart’s Requiem.

The event was organised and conducted by Douglas Reed Esq., the great, great, great grandson of Christian philanthropist Dr Andrew Reed, who originally founded the Royal Hospital over 150 years ago. Douglas says, “Both charities provide a remarkable service, and I organised this event to raise the profile of the incredible work they do.“ The fact that all the proceeds are going to charity was a real motivation to people to attend, combined with some of the best classical music that has ever been composed, the event turned out to be a huge success.”Andrew Reed established several homes, hospices, hospitals and orphanages throughout the country in his lifetime (1787-1862).

The Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability, originally the ‘Hospital for Incurables’, is one of four of his charities still continuing its work today, and now specialises in assessing and rehabilitating adults with traumatic brain injuries as well as providing treatment and long-term care for people with neurological conditions. Royal Hospital Vice Chair, Ruth Maxwell, received a cheque for £3,500 from Douglas today (31^st May). She says, “Not only is Douglas Reed directly linked to the hospital as a descendant of our founder, Mozart’s ability to communicate so well through music, and the vital role that music therapy plays in the rehabilitation here, is also a wonderful link between the hospital and the concert.

“The event raised important money to help us continue our work, and we are incredibly grateful to be chosen as a beneficiary.”

1 June, 2006