Jennifer’s Fund: Music to Caithness’ Ears

Jennifer’s Fund is a heartfelt tribute that was created to carry the legacy of current Joint Managing Directors, Scott and Chris’ late sister who died from cancer at the age of just 42. In honour of her memory, Cairngorm Group have pledged a minimum of £10,000 per year (with maximum grants of £1,000) into activities that are designed to help create memories. The Caithness Community Wind Band Fun Day, which was raising money for a blood cancer appeal initiated by Caithness teenager, Arran Macleod recently reaped the fruits of the fund. Arran is a young violinist who is facing his second stem cell transplant this summer due to a rare genetic blood disorder. In a bid to raise awareness of how important stem cell donors are, he's been sharing the word of Anthony Nolan, a UK charity that runs the world's first stem cell register. Arran got to participate in his first ever band experience at the Fun Day which brought together over 40 community musicians of all ages from local schools, the Pentland Brass Band, the Caithness Orchestra, the Caithness Big Band and the Caithness Handbell Ringers, as well as a surprise visiting percussionist from Orkney! The day was conducted by Susie Dingle from caithnessmusic.com and Karen Anderson, senor instrumental instructor for High Life Highland. The musical event raised a brilliant £329.24 (through donations on the door and sales of baked goods which were donated by band members), which would all go to Arran's Appeal for Anthony Nolan that has a £6000 target, as well as persuading 150 new people from the north of Scotland to join the register. Arran was not the only young person seeing benefit from the Fun Day. 10-year old, Ruairidh is autistic and has only been playing the flute for less than a year. Between bellringing and now learning to play brass instruments, his mum and dad also got the band experience - it was a family affair! Determined to join in, and despite feeling quite overwhelmed and a little tearful at the start of the rehearsal, Ruairidh was laughing and smiling during the concert. Since the concert, Ruairidh was heartbreakingly diagnosed with a form of blood cancer, which only amplifies the importance of the stem cell register. As he undergoes the first part of his treatment, he's already asked to have his flute by his hospital bedside, having been so inspired by the Fun Day event.