All funds raised will support Nordoff and Robbins in training new music therapists
DONATE HERE 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 music therapy charity, Nordoff and Robbins. 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 Nordoff and Robbins 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 go towards training as many music therapists as possible, taking donations through charity fundraising platform, Enthuse, here: bit.ly/NR-ride. The 1975 received the Best Group award at the charity’s flagship O2 Silver Clef Awards in 2024. At the ceremony, Nordoff and Robbins client 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 the charity since and wanted to do something special to raise awareness and money for the cause. He recently spent time at Nordoff and Robbins’ London Centre with Brian, Darren and Matt, taking part in a music therapy session with Ruby and her music therapist, Jered. 
ABOVE: BRIAN, ROSS, RUBY AND JERED TAKING PART IN A MUSIC THERAPY SESSION AT THE NORDOFF AND ROBBINS LONDON CENTRE (HIGH RES HERE). CREDIT: JEREMY BANKS
Ross MacDonald, 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, 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.” Nordoff and Robbins is the UK’s largest music therapy charity, with a unique approach shaped by more than 60 years of practice. Through training music therapists, its work can be transformative, from an adult with dementia reconnecting with family, to an autistic child finding their voice. The charity’s new strategy advocates for music therapy to be recognised as an integrated and sustainable part of the UK’s health and care system. In 2025, Nordoff and Robbins supported 12,200 people through 48,000 music therapy sessions, partnering with 317 organisations including schools, hospitals and care homes nationwide. About Nordoff and Robbins Nordoff and Robbins is the UK’s largest music therapy charity, with a unique approach shaped by more than 60 years of practice. Through the power of music, it breaks through the barriers caused by life-limiting illness, disability and social isolation. The charity does this through providing music therapy to people across the UK, whilst also training the music therapists of the future and funding research to measure and improve the impact of its work. Music therapy is the act of supporting people to connect and communicate through music who otherwise are unable to; such as those living with dementia to autism, learning difficulties to brain injuries, life-limiting illnesses to mental health issues, grief and trauma. Nordoff and Robbins music therapists use the power of music to create space for people to express themselves and find connection in society. Nordoff and Robbins has specialist centres in London (Croydon and Kentish Town), Dunfermline, Glasgow and Newcastle that provide one-to-one and group sessions for children and adults, alongside providing sessions in various settings including schools, hospitals, care homes and more. Its music therapy training is validated by Goldsmiths, University of London, and is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). From adults with dementia reconnecting with their family, to autistic children finding their voice, Nordoff and Robbins believes that everyone who needs it should have access to music therapy, because it can, quite simply, transform people’s lives. | 
