We spent last night at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh at a wonderful concert - Music for Mums. We were there largely because our son and his friends were performing with the Inverclyde Schools Junior choir. But what I saw and heard really inspired me. The concert was just part of a huge fundraising effort by a midwife at Simpson's Maternity Hospital in Edinburgh. Linda McDonald visited Bottom hospital in Malawi and returned home to her own high tech unit determined to do something to improve the lives of mothers and babies in Malawi. She has already raised £125,ooo pounds by selling recipe books!
Over 500 very talented young folk took to the stage at the Usher Hall, performing all sorts of music: music from the shows, ceilidh music, African music, drumming, fiddling, traditional Scottish music. There was also some poetry, an Eagles tribute band and an Irish tenor. The finale, where every youngster reappeared wearing orange Music for Mums T shirts, singing Boyzone's A Different Beat was moving both in sight and in sound. It was indeed a privelege to be a part of something so worthwhile. One woman's determination motivating hundreds of talented young folk making a difference to thousands of lives across the world.
What a brilliant effort. I'm sure you were glad to be part of it. Sounds like the concert was pretty good too. Isn't it inspiring when you get someone who - instead of moaning about a situation - just gets on with doing something about it?
ReplyDeleteHow true, Iain. I was inspired by the results of this woman's persistence and determination as much as anything else. The wondeful music was a huge bonus.
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