Oxfam Esher: "We received 13 violins in one go!"
Esher in Surrey was the first branch of Oxfam to be inundated with instruments for the Don’t Stop The Music Amnesty. In fact its very first contribution was from a retired music teacher who donated 13 violins!
“She had used the violins to teach her students and became aware of the project from coverage in the media,” says Esher Store Manager Sara. “I'm sure she is happy that her instruments will go on to help more children.”
Like all the instruments received through the amnesty, those 13 violins will be transported to a central processing unit for assessment, cleaning and (where possible) minor repairs – so they’re in tip-top condition.
The instruments will then finally be delivered to the 150 primary schools around the UK that are participating in the amnesty – including three Surrey schools: St Teresa’s Catholic Primary in Morden, Earlswood Junior School in Redhill and Sandcross Primary in Reigate. So those violins may even make their way to a school in the same county they came from!
The violins are not the only instruments the Esher store has received from the good people of Surrey, says Sara:
“Since then we've received two guitars, an accordion, a saxophone and a complete drum set."
Her team of volunteers are excited about being part of the amnesty too. “Those who saw the Don't Stop The Music TV programme on Channel 4 found it inspiring and moving,” she says. “I’ve seen them talking to customers about it very passionately.”
“Many customers who had seen the programme, heard about it on the radio or read about it in the paper had very positive feedback too,” she adds. “There weren’t many people who didn't know about it.”
For the Esher team, the amnesty is another example of music being a force for social change. Outside of the amnesty, their store sells lots of CDs, records and instruments – and Sara has seen how this not only benefits Oxfam, in terms of raising vital funds, but the people who buy the donations too: “A few years ago we actually had a band donate all their instruments, as they'd just replaced them all with new ones. We didn't have space in the shop for them but we managed to fit everything in the window. Within a couple of days we'd sold most of them to a group who were forming a new band. It was a good feeling to not only raise money for Oxfam but also help the group to start up.”
Pledge your instrument now to the Don’t Stop The Music instrument amnesty, find your nearest Oxfam shop, or visit our FAQs page for answers to any questions you have about making a donation.
