Helping hand for Cuba

They are being invited to donate ballet, tap or modern dance shoes, painting equipment, sheet music, instruments '“ even violin strings '“ to the Music Fund for Cuba.

The goods are being collected by Jenny Baker, of dance clothing shop Limelight in Uckfield High Street, who has joined forces with Cllr Duncan Bennett, owner of Bennett's Music.

Cllr Bennett said: 'People make a donation, we collect and send all the bits off. Last month it was a cheque for 75.

'We have one customer who is very well-known for her work preparing scores for West End musicals and films.

'She is very enthusiastic about this project.

'People can give manuscript paper, strings, a small sum of money, anything they can spare.

'It doesn't matter how little '“ much of the material is either unobtainable or very expensive in Cuba.'

Jenny Baker is also appealing for shoes or clothing that young dancers or performers might have grown out of.

She said: 'This all costs so much in Cuba. Cuban society is awash with a wonderful array of cultural expression '“ people express their identity though their culture on the island.'

The Music Fund for Cuba has already sent more than 10,000 worth of equipment to Cuban schools.

For Duncan Bennett it's the chance to spiritually revisit the island where he spent his honeymoon.

He said: 'I fell in love with the place.

'As you walk down the street live music comes out of every doorway.'

To find out more, log on to: www.musicfundforcuba.org.uk