24/08/2007
Singing scheme Nice Warm Socks has made it through to the finals of the National Lottery Awards, along with two other musical projects.
The public are invited to choose their favourite Lottery-funded project, and you've only got until 31 August to vote. From an initial shortlist of 70 projects, 21 have made it through to the final, competing in seven different categories.
In the Best Arts Project category, two musical ventures are up for your consideration. Nice Warm Socks, set up by Music Manifesto signatory Wren Music, is a project designed to develop the communication skills of children with severe learning difficulties through specially composed songs.
Also through to the final is the Slough Young People's Centre, whose Afterhours Arts Academy gives disadvantaged young people the chance to take free arts courses and gain recognised qualifications.
Music also features in the Sunday Mirror Award for Best Charity/Voluntary Project with the Mary Hare music therapy unit in Berkshire, which engages deaf children in music therapy to help them communicate and interact with their parents and other young people.
One winner in each category will be awarded £2000 towards their project and the winners will be announced on a special Saturday night programme on BBC1 in September.
For more info and to cast your vote go to www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards/ or pick up the phone:
To vote for Mary Hare Music Therapy Unit call 0845 386 8136
To vote for Nice Warm Socks call 0845 386 8062
To vote for Slough Young People's Centre call 0845 386 8061
Voting closes at midday on 31 August.