MUSIC organisation Severn Arts has launched its first crowdfunding campaign to raise money for a Travelling Music Box, providing new music opportunities for young people across Worcestershire.

The Travelling Music Box, filled with musical instruments, recording equipment and tailored musical experiences, will tour around Worcestershire visiting young people in schools, playgrounds, skate parks, hospitals and more.

Lots of different experiences will be offered - recording favourite songs, being a DJ for the day, having a ukulele jam or playing junk percussion, as well as Severn Arts tailoring experiences to suit different groups and events.

As soon as Severn Arts raises £3,600 from at least 21 backers, more than £9,000 will be pledged by Arts Council England.

Severn Arts is calling for local support to help reach this target and unlock the funding from Arts Council England.

Laura Worsfold, Severn Arts chief executive, said: “We want to give children and young people as many opportunities as we can to engage with music and develop their creativity.

"We know that making music can transform lives but not everyone has the same access to opportunities, and we want to change this.

"The Travelling Music Box will be a fun way of taking musical activity to new places and different people.

"We really hope Worcestershire people will think our Music Box is a good idea and will pledge their support to make it happen.”

Emma Mander, senior hospital play specialist, at Worcestershire Royal Hospital said: “We’re really excited by this project and look forward to seeing see the Travelling Music Box provide new, fun, and engaging sessions for children and families on our ward.”

Anyone wishing to pledge support for Worcestershire’s Travelling Music Box can do so online at spacehive.org/travelling-music-box.

Pledges will only be collected if Severn Arts hits its total funding goal of £18,970 by 1 December 2019. For more information about Severn Arts see www.severnarts.org.uk