Oz & Armonico’s Great Bike Challenge – The Encore Tour
Help us bring the benefits of music to people living with dementia by supporting our cyclists!
For the fifth successive year, TV presenter, wine expert and singer Oz Clarke will lead Armonico Consort’s team of intrepid cyclists in a challenging, four-day bike tour (6-9 September 2023).
Covering 200 miles and climbing 10,000ft, the journey will take them cross country, from Armonico’s base in Warwick, via the ‘Three Choirs’ of Worcester, Hereford and Gloucester, and then on to Wells Cathedral in Somerset.
Their aim is to raise £20,000 to set up more Memory Singers choirs for people living with dementia and their carers.
Residents enjoying singing at one of the visited care homes during the Bike Tour September 2023.
Calling in at care homes along the way, the musicians will entertain residents with Armonico’s trademark mix of beautiful baroque music, well-known songs, inspiring rhythms and irreverent fun. Even residents with advanced dementia respond by singing along, clapping and playing percussion.
This year’s Bike Challenge is part of Armonico Consort’s £300,000 Encore Appeal and our President, Roger Medwell MBE DL, will donate 30p in the £ up to the first £100,000 raised, which means your donation could go a whole lot further.
Your donation will help us:
Establish new Memory Singers groups in different locations, replicating Armonico’s proven successful model
Support at least 40 people living with dementia and their carers each week at their local Memory Singers (approx. 1,000 beneficiaries via rolling recruitment)
How to donate
Will you sponsor our cyclists per mile on this challenging journey? Here’s what your sponsorship could buy:
- £20 (10p per mile)
Refreshments for participants and their carers at a Memory Singers session - £100 (50p per mile)
Meets our venue hire costs for two sessions - £200 (£1 per mile)
Helps to pay our brilliant session leaders for one day - £400 (£2 per mile)
Meets the costs of a full day of sessions for people living with dementia - £1000 (£5 per mile)
Helps to support one person living with dementia and their carer to enjoy our Memory Singers sessions for one full year
Or give whatever you can – all donations are hugely welcome and will support our vital work with this very vulnerable group. You can donate safely and securely using the buttons below – please add Gift Aid if you are able to, as it increases the value of your donation to us at no cost to you.
WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR 2023 SPONSORS
Many thanks to Roger Medwell MBE DL, and Paul Rivers and Tractivity for their sponsorship. Our thanks also to Bludog, Stratford Bike Hire and The Hollies Care Centre for their support.