Opera star voices support for dementia charity's cash bid

Ms Garrett is a patron of the charity that provides interactive musical experiences for people struggling with dementia in care homes and day centres both across the region and nationally

She was the star guest at the launch of the High Notes Appeal, which aims raise more than 100,000 to help the charity continue its work and expand the number of people it helps.

Organisers are aiming to involve businesses, schools and the community groups from South Yorkshire, north Nottinghamshire and north Derbyshire in the new initiative.

The campaign's exact target of 103.400 will provide concerts by a team of professional musicians at 40 homes across the region each month for the coming year The appeal was launched at a special event held at Sheffield United Football Club last week.

"Although we are small we pack a big punch, affecting the lives of more than 1,000 people every month," said Lost Chord's chief executive, Helena Muller.

"Professional trained musicians provide more than 800 interactive concerts each year, operating in more than 70 residential care homes in South Yorkshire, north Nottinghamshire, London, Cardiff and Coventry. Our musicians use a variety of instruments and styles to produce a programme designed to stimulate responses from people living with dementia who may be unable to walk, talk, feed themselves or communicate in any other way."

It costs Lost Chord, whose other celebrity patrons include Sir Cliff Richard and Dame Vera Lynn, 200,000 annually to maintain its current programme of events but the new appeal would help safeguard concerts at another 40 homes.

Mrs Muller said: "Dementia can touch us all and that's why we want to get the whole community involved in fundraising.

"Whether you're a business, a school or a community group, there's something you could be doing to support Lost Chord – and that means making life better for dementia sufferers."

To find out more about the Lost Chord High Notes appeal and how you could get involved call the charity's fundraising manager, Tina Harrison, on 01909 563335 or visit www.lost-chord.org.uk