Lennie's lockdown music challenge inspires piano gift to his Sheffield school

Lennie, who has cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus, has raised £12,000 since he set himself a lockdown challenge of learning songs to play on the piano.

He was featured on Channel 4 show Steph’s Packed Lunch and Melvin Besbrode of Leeds-based Besbrode Pianos was so impressed that he donated a piano to Paces School in High Green.

Melvin said: “I always find it astounding to see the joy that both the person playing and the people listening get from a piano, seeing the enormous number of positives achieved from Lennie playing his piano on TV.

“It seemed like the obvious thing to offer a piano to his fund.”

Donations to Lennie’s fundraising efforts are going to his school which is fundraising for build a new home to support more children and young people in the future.

Band and film-makers champion social causes

Paces teaches children life-changing skills using conductive education - such as sitting, standing, walking, speaking, communication and self-care - in an environment where they can have fun, develop friendships and feel like they belong.

Headteacher Ruth Liu said: “It’s fantastic to have a piano in school. Music is such an important part of life at Paces and having a piano will allow us to engage the pupils in so many different ways.

“Many pupils and staff love to sing and to be able to do that accompanied by a piano will be so exciting. We all enjoy listening to Lennie playing and can’t wait to hear so many more fantastic tunes from him.

“We are so grateful to Melvin and Besbrode Pianos for this wonderful donation.”

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a digital subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.