Charity launched in name of tragic young musician
A COMPANY boss has set up a charity in honour of his son who tragically died aged 24.
Rob Nicholls, who is the founder of Plastic Card Services based in Tytherington Business Park, unexpectedly lost his son Matthew last July.
Now Rob and his wife Rachel have set up a trust in memory of Matthew, who was a talented musician.
The charity aims to support young musicians who are struggling to meet the financial cost of learning an instrument, ensuring as many children as possible get the opportunity to learn music, and supporting the children during their self development.
Rob said: “Matthew was a talented musician.
“When he was young he took all opportunities given to him to develop his skills and confidence to share his talent.
“We believe that all young people, no matter what their background, should have the opportunity to access playing a musical instrument for self- development and for the pleasure of the wider community.
“We have set up this trust to provide opportunities and financial support for young people to develop musical skills, especially those with financial and social barriers.
Rob, who lives in Wilmslow, added: “We will be working in collaboration with local services to ensure that young people with life challenges and musical potential benefit from the money raised.”
The charity has been set up as a discretional trust until it gets official charity status and become the Matthew Nicholls Foundation in February.
But staff and friends of the Nicholls have already been busy fundraising for the cause.
Rob added: “There’s so much going on with people doing bike rides, marathons gigs, it’s getting real momentum now, it’s all very, very positive indeed which is great.
“This is why we are doing it.”
Adam Unsworth, Tony Pratt, Shaun Hinchy and Jayce Mcevoy, who all work at Plastic Card Services in Macclesfield, are taking on the Wilmslow Half Marathon in aid of the Trust.
A spokesman for the team said: “Rob is the ex MD of Plastic Card Services, as well as a friend of ours, and most people at PCS knew Matt from his time working in Production during school holidays. We are supporting Rachel and Rob keep Matt’s name to live on through helping others.”
To sponsor the group go to justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/pcsrun.