SAGE Gateshead is appealing for votes to help the charity win thousands of pounds to work with children.

The international music centre, which engages with more than 30,000 children and young people a year as North Music Trust, is shortlisted in the final of the education and arts category of Persimmon Homes’ Building Futures £1million fund.

Grants of £100,000, £50,000 or £20,000 will go to those organisations with the most online votes, which can be made daily.

Abigail Pogson, Sage Gateshead’s managing director said the venue, which is a registered charity, needed people’s support now more than ever.

She said: “Like many other organisations, we are facing an urgent financial challenge as a result of the pandemic. Despite these very significant challenges we are deeply committed to continuing our work with children and young people. During lockdown we took our Young Musicians Programme for four to 18 year-olds online and we are working hard to launch a new programme of activities to foster health and wellbeing in children and families.

“We want to ensure that no matter the circumstances, children and young people can enjoy the life changing benefits of music. This has never been more important than now and something as simple as clicking a button and giving us your vote could help us secure vital funds to help us continue and develop this. We would really appreciate everybody’s support.”

The Northern Echo:

One of the programmes Sage Gateshead delivers in the West End of Newcastle is In Harmony, which aims to inspire and transform the lives of children through music. They are given an orchestral instrument to learn, play and perform in groups at school and venues such as Sage Gateshead.

Brody Flynn, a pupil at Bridgewater School in Scotswood, has been mastering the violin through In Harmony and his focus and confidence has grown each day.

His mum Leanne said: “Music helps with his focus and attention which are sometimes an issue otherwise in everyday life. It’s something at school which he feels really passionate about. He always comes home happy from In Harmony.”

The Building Futures fund is delivered through the Persimmon Charitable Foundation. Through the scheme, grants are awarded to groups supporting sport, education and arts and health across Persimmon’s 31 regional businesses and its head office. One initiative from each category goes on to win £100,000 each through a national award scheme to be decided by a public vote.

Vote by September 18 at persimmonhomes.com/building-futures/finalist/north-music-trust-5192