Isolation has taken a heavy toll on older people during the coronavirus lockdown, with the usual activities and companionship which they could depend on curtailed by restrictions on visits to care homes and their own homes. It has been particularly hard on those living with dementia and their carers, for whom music sessions had often provided a welcome respite. Music has been shown to revive cognitive pathways, unlock memories, and alleviate some of the most troubling side effects of dementia, in some cases more effectively than medication.

Musicians from Armonico Consort's choir and orchestra, working alongside the Alzheimer's Society, have been trained to deliver online workshops to people living with dementia, in a project which is now rolling out across the country. We want to raise £5000, which will fund the provision of over 40 weekly sessions of therapeutic music, engaging older people and making a real difference to their wellbeing. Our talented musicians will use music from our repertoire to bring memories flooding back.

Led by the wine expert and broadcaster Oz Clarke, our team of cyclists will cycling from Bournemouth to Coventry over four days, performing mini-concerts in care homes along the route - a total distance of 215 miles, and climbing 8,750 feet - over three times the height of the Burj Khalifa tower in Dubai! You can follow their progress on this JustGIving page, on Armonico Consort's website and on Twitter and Facebook. They have taken on this trip because they believe in the power of music to improve and change lives - if you believe it too, please donate and help to fund our incredible programmes, which are making a huge difference for people living with dementia.

Armonico Consort is especially grateful to Phillips 66 and JET, BluDog, Corratec Electric Bikes and Waitrose & Partners.

Special thanks also to Mr Roger Medwell MBE, DL and Mr Baljit Shergill for generously supporting this event.