When the plight of the world famous Grimethorpe Colliery Band was recently brought to public attention, we received quite a few requests from customers and members of our community to ask if we were able to help. Being the people’s champion and with the band based on our doorstep, how could we refuse ..? 
Plusnet Commercial Director, Nick Rawlings and Grimethorpe Colliery Band member, Jim Fletcher are pictured with pupils from Birkwood Primary School in Barnsley, South Yorkshire who are set to benefit from the funding. Pupils left to right: Joshua Ford Allsopp, Warren Shepherd, Joshua Bennett, Harry West, Tegan Faye, Ebony Sabin, Wezley Smith, Bethany Riley, Bethany Wake, Elizabeth Spensley, Amiee Donohoe, Rebecca Spensley. The band, based in Barnsley, South Yorkshire has been a bastion of the local community since it was founded in 1917 and achieved global fame in 1995 when it was the inspiration for the Hollywood Blockbuster, Brassed Off, which starred Ewan McGregor. However, in light of recent funding cuts, its existence is under threat, along with its ability to continue providing a youth education programme to South Yorkshire schools. We’re delighted to announce, Plusnet has agreed to provide financial support to the band over the next two years. The funds will be used to ensure the continuation of the band’s youth education scheme which will ensure 15 pupils between the ages of 8 and 11 at the Birkwood Primary School in South Yorkshire will have the opportunity to take music lessons 
Nick Rawlings, Commercial Director of Plusnet commented:
“Plusnet has become famous for featuring brass bands in a number of our adverts and several of our customers started asking us, through our online community, to help the Grimethorpe Colliery Band. This is clearly an issue very close to the hearts of a lot of people and we are proud to provide help for a special project that brings such a valued service to its community.”
Showcasing just how valuable the programme has been to pupils at the school, class teacher and school music co-ordinator Esther Sutton Smith said:
“They have developed many important life skills, as well as important musical ones: commitment, team work, time keeping, listening, musical appreciation and respect are just a few that spring to mind. Grimethorpe Colliery Band has made a massive impact on our little school; almost every day the band’s name is mentioned positively in and around Birkwood’s community – the band should be very proud of the difference they are making to their local area.”
Grimethorpe Colliery Band Manager, Nigel Dixon added:
“Our funding cuts are having a very serious impact over what activities the band can do, and if it wasn’t for Plusnet we would not be able to provide such a key education tool for local children. We are so grateful for this support, Plusnet has shown itself to be a champion of the community.”
You can see a few more pics of the band, pupils and our very own Nick Rawlings over on our Flickr photostream.
To those of you who got in touch urging Plusnet to help - thank you - we hope we’ve done you Proud! Tell us what you think by leaving a comment below …