The love started during the Covid lockdown
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Nathan Ake's video message(Image: Casio)
Manchester City star Nathan Ake has gifted a piano to a legendary Manchester music venue. Ake, 30, a keen piano player himself, has donated a brand new digital piano to Band on the Wall in the Northern Quarter.
The Blues Dutch defender learnt to play during the first Covid lockdown and now 'testifies to its benefits' which he says include 'improved mental wellbeing, mental health and physical health.'
He says he 'feels passionately that all children should have access to the benefits of music education'.
And he was set up a project called 'Playing for Change' - which aims to give underprivileged kids the chance to learn and play.
They have so far donated a dozen pianos to disadvantage schools around the UK.
Band on the Wall will say the donation will help more kids to learn the piano
And to mark International Piano Day, he has donated another to Band on the Wall.
The venue, which has a charitable arm, hosts a range of community events, including its Saturday Music Club, a fun, inclusive learning programme where young people can discover music and develop their skills.
The brand-new professional range PX-S7000 Casio piano was delivered on time for kids to use it at Saturday's session.
The professional PX-S7000 Casio digital piano(Image: Casio)
In a special video message he recorded and sent to the venue, Ake said:“To celebrate International Piano Day, Playing For Change is very excited to be donating a piano to Band on the Wall.
"I hope you guys enjoy the piano as much as I do and keep learning and seeing the benefits of it - enjoy!”
It will also bed used to teach kids at Manchester College, with whom Band on the Wall have a long association.
Kids using it at Band on the Wall's Saturday Music Club(Image: Casio)
Alice McIlwraith, Head of Learning and Participation at Band on the Wall added, “We aim to provide high quality, inclusive and engaging music education to young people across Greater Manchester that is accessible, affordable and without barriers.
"We’re very proud about the number of brilliant young musicians we get to work with each week in our education spaces, and to have this incredible donation and support from Casio and Nathan means that we are able to continue and grow our activities.
"We are hugely grateful for this donation and the impact it will have on our organisation!”