Brighton musician thanks donors for being instrumental in helping charity project

By Martin Cooper

A Brighton man thanked donors after he received a fantastic response to his request for musical instruments for a charity project in Romania.

Tim Bennett, 45, of Aberdeen Road, Brighton, received eight violins two accordions, three acoustic guitars, two trumpets and two electric guitars.

He made an appeal for instruments, including through Brighton and Hove News.

Mr Bennett, a builder and part-time musician, worked alongside Hassocks-based charity Humanity At Heart to send the instruments to a day centre for the homeless in Arad in Romania.

Worthing charity Link Romania shipped the instruments to Arad in time for Christmas.

The project was so successful and well received that Mr Bennett has decided to make a similar appeal for instruments – of any kind or condition.

He wants to send them to members of a Roma community to play in church in desperately poor rural villages near Oradea, on the Romanian border with Hungary.

Mr Bennett said: “I was delighted at the number of donations by Brighton residents following the article in Brighton and Hove News.

“People seemed happy the instruments would be appreciated again.”

As well as collecting instruments, his employer – Brighton-based Channel Site Services – is sponsoring Mr Bennett and two colleagues to repair a school club run by Humanity At Heart in Arad.

Charlotte Burton, director of Channel Site Services, said: “This is completely up our street, giving back to communities using our best attributes.

“We are thrilled to be part of this sponsorship and proud to have our men using their time for such a good cause.”

To donate instruments, email tim.bennett@yahoo.co.uk.