The 1975 and PVRIS bassists to take on 1,100 mile cycle challenge to raise funds for Nordoff and Robbins
The 1975’s Ross Macdonald and PVRIS’ Brian MacDonald will cycle from Land’s End to John O’ Groats, with all funds raised to help us train new music therapists.
About the fundraiser
Ross MacDonald, bassist from The 1975 and Brian MacDonald, bassist from American pop-rock band PVRIS, will be taking on the ultimate UK cycling challenge this April, as they ride from Land’s End to John O’ Groats to raise money for our vital music therapy work. Joined by friends Darren and Matt, the pair will cycle the iconic 1,100 mile route, also known as ‘LEJOG’, from the most westerly point of mainland England to the northernmost point of mainland Scotland over two weeks.
It costs £19,000 for us to train a music therapist over two years, and through covering distances of up to 100 miles a day, they are hoping to raise money to help us train as many music therapists as possible, taking donations through charity fundraising platform, Enthuse, here.
The 1975 received the Best Group award at our O2 Silver Clef Awards in 2024. At the awards, Ruby and her mum Bev spoke of how much music therapy has helped Ruby, who is autistic and has ADHD, and lives with a complexity of mental health issues. During her speech, Bev said, “I can honestly say hand on my heart that discovering Nordoff and Robbins helped save our beautiful girl from what looked like a very difficult future, that’s even if she had a future.”
The speech deeply resonated with Ross, who has kept in touch with us since and wanted to do something special to raise awareness and money for our music therapy work. He recently spent time at our London Centre with Brian, Darren and Matt, taking part in a music therapy session with Ruby and her music therapist, Jered.
Watch Ross, Brian and friends take part in music therapy at our London Centre
Ross MacDonald (The 1975) said: “I believe that music therapy really changes people’s lives. I’ve seen firsthand what Nordoff and Robbins do, using music as therapy. It breaks down barriers and it transcends language. And it’s something that everyone can connect with in their own way. My life is taken up massively by touring and being in a studio, and this challenge is pretty much the most opposite thing I could think of doing. I get to do this amazing ride with three of my closest friends. It’s going to be beautiful and horrendous, but will ultimately end with us achieving this incredible personal goal and hopefully raising loads of money for Nordoff and Robbins.”
Brian MacDonald (PVRIS) said: “The motivation to fundraise for Nordoff and Robbins came from a WhatsApp from Ross. I was on tour and he messaged me saying, ‘do you want to do a big cycle ride? I know you cycle.’ I’m like, ‘barely, but, yeah!’ He explained about Nordoff and Robbins and then I did my own research, and, I just fell right into it and saw how amazing the music therapy work they do is. I’m grateful to be playing a small part in fundraising for this great cause. I’m going to be doing it for the people that will benefit so much from what we can get in terms of donations. That’s going to fuel me more than all the electrolytes, gels and carbs combined.”
Sandy Trappitt, Director of Fundraising, Nordoff and Robbins, said: “We’re so grateful to Ross, Brian, Darren and Matt for taking on this monumental challenge to help raise money for Nordoff and Robbins. As a charity, we’re seeing costs increase at every corner, whilst demand has never been higher, so fundraising initiatives like these are so important to us in terms of awareness and donations, helping us train more music therapists and helping more people access music. We’ll be there in spirit every day cheering them on and hope that people nationwide will join us in supporting the guys on their inspirational journey and help them smash their fundraising target.”