If you or your child have a love for music, you could be the second person to benefit from The Ffion Miles Music bursary – in memory of the late Ffion Miles. Ffion was not only known for her love of music, but her passion towards helping those who had retinoblastoma (Rb) and/or who had a visual impairment.
Ffion was diagnosed with Rb as a baby, which left her with a little vision in just one of her eyes. However, she never let her Rb or her visual impairment hold her back and achieved a huge amount in her lifetime, including a masters in politics, becoming a researcher for the BBC and also being a trustee for CHECT between 2010 and 2016. In addition, Ffion had a tremendous love for music, singing live on the rugby pitch before a Wales rugby game, as well performing in the ‘Rb band’ as lead singer at CHECT members’ weekends.
In light of Ffion’s love for music, we are delighted to announce the return of the The Ffion Miles Music Bursary – which is open to all CHECT members, regardless of age. The bursary will be awarded to one member per year and can be used towards anything that is needed to celebrate or encourage a particular connection with or benefit from music. This could cover musical training, music therapy sessions, attendance – including travel – at an event, equipment including help towards buying* or loan of an instrument, music software or anything else that enhances a member’s flair for music.
If you or your child are a member of CHECT and would like to benefit from The Ffion Miles Music Bursary, please contact support@chect.org.uk stating what you would spend £1000 on if you had £1000 to spend on something that encourages your love for music. The member that is chosen to benefit from this singular annual award will be chosen by the CHECT board of trustees. The deadline for applications is 30 June 2023.
The 2022 winner of the Ffion Miles Music Bursary was Eliza, who used her bursary to buy a piano. Eliza’s mum Lucy said, “Eliza is absolutely thrilled with her piano, and has a renewed enthusiasm for composing as well as learning pieces with her piano teacher. The recording here is a little snippet from a composition she is working on. Thank you all so much, and most especially to Ffion’s family, for the opportunity you have given to Eliza, and to everyone who will enjoy both the music she makes and the joy she takes from it.” You can listen to a piece of Eliza’s delightful piano playing over on our blog.
*If the bursary goes toward the cost of an instrument, this may need to be co-funded either by the benefiter, or the parent of the benefiter.