Musicians on a mission to help their conductor

Charity: Moray group’ s 2,600-mile challenge in aid of leader’ s health battle

Musicians from Moray are preparing to embark on a 2,600-mile challenge to support their conductor’s health battle.

Moray Concert Brass had hoped to be hosting a fundraising concert at Elgin Town Hall with internationally renowned trumpeters as guests at the weekend before the coronavirus pandemic forced it to be cancelled.

Money raised from the event was due to be donated to Friends of Anchor, with musical director Glenn Munro currently undergoing immunotherapy after being diagnosed with bowel cancer three years ago and then a peritoneal surface malignancy.

However, the group still wanted to support their leader and have instead decided to raise funds by running, walking and cycling the combined circumference of Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Moray, Orkney and Shetland, which is the area covered by the charity that supports oncology and haematology patients.

Aileen Robertson, who joined the group 20 years ago, said: “Anchor is a charity which does so much to support people with cancer, which is a cause very close to our hearts as a band.

“We were really looking forward to this great weekend working with fantastic musicians and raising money to support people with cancer but hopefully this is still a way that we can do a little bit to help support important charities at this uncertain time.”

The team of 10 walkers has already raised nearly £1,000 for the charity and intend to keep pounding the streets and paths of Moray until the end of the month.

Some musicians have been returning to the bike to clock up the miles while others have been pushing prams and walking dogs while taking the opportunity to improve their fitness during lockdown.

Gillian Tubbs, who has been involved with the group since 2005 when her children joined, said: “Moray Concert Brass is important to me as it gave both my children so much in the way of experience, friendships, confidence and much more.

“It has also given me hours of fun and friendships.

“I am lucky enough to get to do some of my walking with Aileen and her girls, socially distancing of course.

“I want to raise money for Anchor because of Glenn and all the other ‘Glenns’ who are needing the support and care Anchor provides.”

Donations can be made at uk.virginmoneygiving. com/team/MCRamblingB

Photograph by Sandy McCook SUPPORTIVE: Musicians, from left, Steven Tubbs, Elizabeth Patterson, Louise Gray and Aileen Robertson are fundraising for Friends of Anchor.