Mitsuko Uchida to help raise £90,000 in 90 minutes for Syria

Hands Up Foundation - a charity that raises funds for Syrians in need - will hold a special evening of music at Cadogan Hall, London, on Wednesday 12th June called Music for Syria. The British-based charity is aiming to raise £90,000 in 90 minutes.

The evening will play host to a stellar line up of musicians and performers including BBC 3 presenter Petroc Trelawny, pianists Mitsuko Uchida and Riyad Nicolas, baritone Simon Keenlyside CBE and award-winning soprano Rowan Pierce alongside The Heath Quartet.

Young 14-year old poet and Syrian refugee, Amineh Abou Kerech, will also be in attendance for a special reading of poetry and words. Amineh won the Betjeman Poetry Prize in 2017.

Mitsuko Uchida featured on the cover of issue 104 of Pianist.

Ian Burnside, curator of the event, said, "Music for Syria is a response to the very great need of those affected by Syria's conflict, now over 8 years long. We've invited luminary musicians, actors and poets to perform to an audience of 800 people. All of them are generously giving their time and skill for 90 minutes of unique entertainment, and we're aiming to raise £90,000. The music will be uplifting and more importantly will help provide education and health services to a huge number of Syrians in need."

Hands Up Foundation runs several high-profile fundraising initiatives including Syrian Supper Club, Singing for Syrians and MarmalAid. Music for Syria will be an inspiring and uplifting evening to raise money for Hands Up, funding practical aid projects in and around Syria, including paying doctor's salaries at a Primary Health Clinic in rural Aleppo, teaching for over 300 children in Bekaa Refugee Camp, Lebanon and supporting a Prosthetic Limb project on the Syrian Turkish border.

There will be an online auction ahead of the event with a handful of unique lots to bid for on the night. Tickets can be found here.