Suggs becomes ambassador for Mayor’s charity Camden Music Trust
Camden legend, Suggs, lead singer of Madness, has become an ambassador for the Mayor of Camden’s charity, the Camden Music Trust.
Camden Music Trust supports the Camden Music Service by helping to fund inclusive music education programmes, scholarships and affordable music instruments for loan to ensure all Camden children can take part in music making.
Suggs met students from local schools, who are learning with the music service, at the Dublin Castle, the famous Camden venue where Madness were discovered, to celebrate his new role.
Suggs said: “I am very pleased to be involved with the Mayor of Camden, the Camden Music Trust and many others in promoting music for young people.
“For too long arts have not been given the priority they deserve. But who in this country is not cheered up by music - and by the money it generates. Without the help of others, the pubs and clubs of Camden would not be here for us.
“As Winston Churchill said when they wanted to close the arts and music colleges for the war effort - “then what are we fighting this war for?”.”
Mayor of Camden, Councillor Jenny Headlam-Wells, said: “It’s wonderful to have such an icon of Camden musical talent on board to inspire children and young people in Camden so they too could go on to have a successful career in music.
“More than just learning an instrument, music helps build confidence and self-esteem, supports academic achievement, improves sociability, fosters discipline and patience and promotes creativity. These soft skills are vitally important to the growth and wellbeing of children and young adults, they help raise aspiration and open up life chances.”
The Mayor is set to raise over £80,000 for the Camden Music Trust by the end of her Mayoral year, which concludes in May.
Esther Caplin, Chair of the Camden Music Trust, said: “We are delighted Suggs has chosen to become an ambassador for our charity. As a respected musician with strong links to Camden, his support helps us raise awareness of the importance of music education for a child’s overall development.”