the 07/23/2008

Charity donations rather than gifts at executive wedding

Charity donations rather than gifts at executive wedding

Charity donations rather than gifts at executive wedding

Jul 21 2008

A Birmingham couple with heads for business and a passion for musicare forsaking wedding presents to help children with special needs.

Lou Jones and Chris Monk have put out a plea to those attendingtheir summer wedding to make a donation to a great cause instead ofbuying them a gift.

Lou, who is chief executive of management consultancy C3Consulting, and her partner Chris, the senior partner atinternational property consultancy King Sturge, are determined thatchildren should be given the gift of music when they get hitched onAugust 2 at St Paul’s Church, in St Paul’s Square,Birmingham.

They are both members of the fund-raising events committee at theCity of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and are urging guests to digdeep to help support an education project running in conjunctionwith the National Institute for Conductive Education in Birmingham.

The programme uses music to help youngsters with a variety ofspecial needs with a particular focus on those suffering motordisorders, such as cerebral palsy as well as children with autismand Asperger’s Syndrome, as well as physical disability. Lou,aged 46 and Chris, 60 are funding a course for up to 12 children,led by members of the symphony orchestra, which will focus oncreative music-making, culminating in a Christmas show.

If enough money is raised the additional cash will also be used tofund a six-week multi-media project which will include a videoartist being taken on.

An animator will then work with the children to produce a film toaccompany the Christmas compositions.

Lou, from Moseley, said: “There is no wedding list, not atHarrod's, Harvey Nicks, or anywhere for that matter.

“We believe passionately in the importance of music incultural, social and intellectual development which is why we areasking people to join us and support this very worthwhile schemewhich will be of tremendous benefit to these children.”

CBSO chief executive, Stephen Maddock, said: “The success ofour education work relies on the generosity of supporters like Louand Chris. This is a splendid gesture and we wish them both a happyday and many years of matrimonial harmony.”