Six weeks ago, James Rhodes launched a nationwide instrument amnesty, to put musical instruments donated by the public into the hands of primary school children around the UK. The response has been incredible…

From Aberdeen to Aberyswyth, Leigh-on-Sea to Torquay, thousands of instruments have flooded in from kind-hearted musicians and music lovers. We've had French horns, Tenor horns, cellos, clarinets, violas, violins, drumkits, guitars and much, much more besides.

Some have come with heartwarming notes of support for the schools who'll receive the instruments, others with music sheets and scores. They've arrived in cases; cardboard boxes; wrapped in Christmas paper, bubble wrap and ageing newspaper. All ready for a new lease of life.

Many stars who have helped raise awareness of the amnesty have gone one step further and donated their own instruments too – including Labrinth who handed over his guitar and Laura Marling who donated a dulcimer.

Oxfam shops across the UK rallied round to support the amnesty by accepting and logging donations, which were then collected by Yodel and sent to our Big Yellow storage hub in London – where they're currently being processed, assessed, cleaned and repaired by a team of musical instrument repair experts and assisting students.

We'll be sharing more news of where the instruments go next and hearing from some of the schools which receive the instruments further down the line. Follow us on Twitter @JamesRhodesDSTM, 'like' us on Facebook and keep visiting this site for all the latest news...

Instrument Amnesty