Stockport steel pan orchestra launches fundraising appeal
A steel pan orchestra has launched a fundraising appeal in an attempt to recoup funds lost due to the pandemic. Pantonic All Stars Steel Orchestra based in Stockport, Greater Manchester launched the online fundraiser after cancelled events in 2020 meant the group lost out on their main source of income.
The youth group, usually made up of around 25 players aged between 11 and 25, earns the majority of its funds through donations and bookings from live events. With the pandemic putting paid to most of its events such as performing at shopping centres, carnivals, and festivals the group has turned to an online fundraising platform.
Chairman of the orchestra Steve Marshall said: “We got shut down last year and because of that we weren’t able to do any of our usual events. “That’s where our income comes from and that’s what keeps the orchestra going. Because we weren’t able to operate we set up this fundraiser to see if we could get some funds, hopefully so we can survive the year.”
Despite the pandemic the orchestra, established in 1985, was able to put on two concerts last year, one in Chesterfield and one in Liverpool. But since the second lockdown in November the group has been surviving on savings, which would usually be used to pay for the annual tour to Devon. And the group was also hit with the sad news that long-serving chairman Adrian Botham passed away in December following an eight-year battle with cancer.
Steve, the former musical director who has now taken over as chairman after Adrian’s death, says the future of the group is at stake in 2021.
By Joseph Richards
