Gift of 40 ukuleles helps pupils to play on

A music teacher who donated 40 ukuleles to a school hopes they will help the children who rely on the instrument for creativity and well-being.

Pupils at Pentland Primary School in Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees, were unable to practise outside of their music lessons because they had to share the instrument with other schools.

Independent music tutor Jamie Donnelly said he heard the school was struggling for resources and, as music was "an important part" of his early development, he made the donation.

School music lead Fern Galloway said the gift meant "the children can pop along and practise when they want instead of waiting for them to be brought back in".

She said she was "totally blown away" by the act of kindness when she saw 40 ukuleles sitting in the music room.

Galloway said music had a positive impact at the school and "the generous gift" would help them to do more for the children, who were "really excited" and were helping her tune them.

Pupil Phoebe, 11, said: "I am obsessed with the ukuleles because I just love music and I like playing the strings, and placing them on my stomach makes me feel calmer as I breath."

She said receiving the gift made her "feel happy" and she was proud to play them with her "lovely music teacher".

"We've been learning all the major and minor chords," she said.

Tristan, 10, said he was also happy because he liked to tune the instruments.

"I like the texture and the sound - it gets progressively better when you feel it," he said.

He said when he saw the gift of 40 ukuleles, he was confused but happy.

Theo, 10, said ukuleles were "a good instrument to play".

"They feel like you're playing a guitar and I've always liked practising with the guitar," he said.

Donnelly, 32, said he played in a steel band at primary school and it gave him opportunities to develop. Being a part of group was positive for his well-being, he added.

He said he had played across the world since his parents got him a guitar aged 12.

Children getting into music at schools in impoverished areas had the odds stacked against them, he said, and by making the donation he hoped to break down some of those barriers.

"The barriers are kids not being able to access the fantastic resources at school," he said.

"I heard the head teacher was bringing ukuleles from school to school because of a lack of resources and I thought if each kid had a one they could practise."

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