A TRADITIONAL Irish music group hopes a share of �35,000 will help to buy instruments for its younger members.
The Nottingham branch of Comhaltas, which run workshops and lessons for children and adults, is one of 300 organisations selected for the Nottingham Post's Cash for Your Community campaign.
Branch chairman Jim Hickey said: "The whole idea is to promote Irish music within the Irish community and to everyone else.
"We have members with no Irish connection who just like the music, as well as third and fourth generation Irish families.
"The Nottingham group has been going for around 35 years and it is about having a connection to Irish culture and the past – it is something in the blood."
The group offers instrument lessons to children during term-time sessions at the Irish Centre, in Wilford Street, in the city centre.
Members' ages range from two to 85.
Traditional instruments are provided for members, including tin whistles, flutes, accordions, fiddles and drums.
Musicians play at various events around the city, including the St Patrick's Day parade and One World Festival, as well as in solo competitions.
There are five teachers within the group and members have had lessons from a group from Ards in Northern Ireland.
The branch is part of the Comhaltas Ceolt�ir� Eireann, a network of groups around the world.
It is funded mainly by membership fees and subscriptions, and has received funding from the Republic of Ireland's Emigrant Support Programme.
Mr Hickey said its share of the fund, would help with instrument and accommodation costs.
Readers will be able to collect tokens for their favourite charity from Wednesday, May 25.
The more tokens the group collects from readers, the bigger the share of the �35,000 it will receive.
Another 15 groups will be revealed tomorrow.
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