Running the Birmingham Half Marathon for Melody!

We’re raising funds for Melody, a Birmingham-based charity that delivers weekly music workshops for children and adults with learning difficulties at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.

Each week, Melody creates a space full of music, creativity, and connection - offering not only high-quality musical experiences, but also meaningful social opportunities and, most importantly, a lot of fun for the young people involved!

Melody’s work is made possible by its incredible volunteer tutors, all of whom are current students at the Conservatoire. Alongside leading engaging and inclusive music sessions, tutors benefit from a unique training programme, including weekly mentoring and termly professional development sessions. Melody doesn’t just support its participants, it also nurtures the next generation of inclusive music practitioners.

As a charity, Melody relies heavily on donations. Your support helps to:

You can find out more about Melody here!

On 3rd May 2026, Abbie Pascoe (leader of MMB Band) and Melody trustee James Kidd will be taking on the Birmingham Half Marathon to raise funds for this incredible cause.

For Abbie, this challenge is especially meaningful. Having come through Melody herself, she began as a volunteer tutor in 2019 while studying at the Conservatoire before coming back as the MMB Band Leader in 2025. That experience inspired her to pursue a career in inclusive music and to undertake a Master’s degree at the University of Birmingham, specialising in inclusive education for learners with SLD/PMLD. She wouldn’t be where she is today without Melody.

While Abbie is far more at home playing her saxophone than running 21.1km (!), she’s ready to step far outside her comfort zone to give back to a charity that has shaped her career.

Every donation - big or small - will make a real difference. Thank you for supporting Melody and helping us continue this important work!