Pianists pound keys to raise cash
A Pianofun event in Oban has raised funds to the tune of £540 in aid of the Scottish Liver Transplant Unit.
Organiser Ken Harrower, whose wife Marie’s life was saved by a liver transplant three years ago, said the fundraiser at Oban Parish Church on September 30 had ‘a great turnout’.
Over the past 12 years, the annual Pianofun afternoons have raised money for Oban Music Society and the parish church but this year Mr and Mrs Harrower wanted to give the money to the liver unit as a special thank you.
Last month The Oban Times told how Mrs Harrower’s sudden flu-like symptoms had ended in a liver transplant just six weeks later after hepatitis was diagnosed.
Quick-thinking from her Oban GP and efficient staff at the town’s hospital, who got her speedily referred to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for specialist help, were a big part of her remarkable recovery.
Pianists of all ages and abilities performed at the musical afternoon in September, co-ordinated by Mr Harrower, who has taught piano in the town for more than 20 years and is also a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
‘We had a great turnout. I think a lot of people had read Marie’s story in The Oban Times. We usually make about £100 so there was a big difference in this year’s amount. Thank you to everyone,’ said Mr Harrower.
One of Mr Harrower’s top students, Arabella Fyles from Kilmelford, was one of the pianists who took part.
The 12-year-old spent one week at a summer school at the prestigious Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester sponsored by Oban Music Society, made possible by a legacy left by the late Elizabeth Graham, known as Bette, of Taynuilt.