OHMI Trust to feature in BBC Radio 4 charity appeal

The OHMI Trust has been selected to feature in a BBC Radio 4 Charity Appeal, in support of its Instrument Hire Scheme to continue.

OHMI’s appeal will air on 28 January, at 07:55 and 21:25, and on 1 February 2024, at 15:27.

The trust, based in Birmingham, supports disabled musicians of all ages, worldwide, to play instruments in various settings, with a particular focus on school children and young people through its Music-Makers programme. The Instrument Hire Scheme allows musicians to try out different instruments at affordable rates.

The voice of the appeal is social scientist and bioethicist Tom Shakespeare, who will share stories of disabled musicians such as Maria who was born without a left hand but plays the clarinet, and Kalia who has hemiplegic cerebral palsy and plays the bagpipes.

‘It’s really important that disabled people can play musical instruments. I spend all my time listening to BBC Radio and I want to hear disabled classical musicians, jazz musicians, folk musicians, the whole lot! So that’s why I support OHMI and why I want them to be available to everybody,’ said Shakespeare on his involvement.

Rachel Wolffsohn, general manager at The OHMI Trust, said: ‘We’re very excited to have the opportunity to reach the wider Radio 4 audience and to work with the wonderful Tom Shakespeare in sharing the stories of some of our talented musicians. Every pound donated will make a welcome contribution to OHMI’s Scheme which allows musicians to try out different instruments at very affordable rates.’

OHMI is encouraging people to share the appeal on social media and donate wherever possible.

The appeal can be listened to via the BBC website.

ohmi.org.uk