24 Hour Kitchen Disco challenge to hit the right notes

SNAP’s Music Therapist, Emily Grimes is set to ‘tap’ into her repertoire of songs and embark on a 24-hour non-stop music marathon kitchen disco for SNAP live on Facebook.

Emily will be ‘cooking up’ a treat in the kitchen on 5^th March to raise funds and awareness for our charity.

Emily – a qualified Nordoff Robbins Music Therapist – has skilfully adapted her sessions online since lockdown began back in March 2020, providing remote individual and group music therapy sessions for SNAP families. These sessions are used to help support the development of interaction and life skills for children and young people with any special need or disability.

She is also part of the team bringing ‘Radio SNAP’ to Facebook Live every Friday morning at 9.30am on SNAP’s Facebook page and for many families these are proving to be the highlight of their week, with families even listening in while receiving treatment in hospital.

“I have been involved with SNAP charity for nearly 12 years now, and it holds a very special place in my heart,” beams Emily.

“I love our Friday Facebook Live sessions each week and when I accidentally suggested live on air that I should do a 24-hour Kitchen Disco fundraiser, I initially thought – what have I done? However, literally seconds after I thought what better way to show my support for all of the fantastic work that SNAP does, than to offer what I love most in the world – music!”

Now Emily – who has also initiated an online choir during lockdown – is busy planning a full-on schedule for the 24 hours and enlisting support from the SNAP Team and her musical friends.

“Music is such a lifeline for me and for so many people, especially over the lockdowns this past year. It’s very easy to feel isolated and on our own during this strange time, and music can really give us all an opportunity to feel like we’re together again. Our online sessions have enabled people to feel connected through their love and enjoyment of music, so why not offer this for 24 hours!”

Emily will be holding her Kitchen Disco live from The SNAP Centre along with two members of the SNAP Team who have pledged to support Emily through her 24 hour challenge. SNAP’s Director for Family Services, Karen Boath, and Family Support Adviser, Dale Kerr, join Emily each week for the trio’s Facebook Live music sessions and are fully committed to staying awake for the 24 hours.

“I’m more of an early bird rather than a late night owl so I think I’m going to need a bit pot of coffee to get through the night shift, and we will need all our wonderful SNAP supporters to keep us going with words of encouragement, songs requests and donations,” asks Karen.

“Every donation is hugely appreciated and will go a long way towards helping SNAP continue to be here for Essex families who have a child or young person with any special need or disability. We are hugely grateful to Emily for pledging to take on such a task to support our charity.”

The challenge for the trio will kick-off when their weekly Facebook Live sessions begins as usual on Friday 5th March at 9.30am and will finish at 9:30am on Saturday 6th March.

I’m looking forward to singing and playing requests from people who are able to support and join us on the SNAP Facebook page,” says Emily.

“I will also have some fun musical games, as well as some special friends who will pop by to sing or play us a song to keep us going!

“A 24-hour Kitchen Disco is going to be tough, so if you are able to sponsor us in advance or donate on the day we would really appreciate it. Join us on the SNAP Facebook page as well to give us some words of encouragement – we’re going to need it!!!”

If you would like to sponsor Emily please visit – https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/emilys-24-hour-kitchen-disco-for-snap-charity

If you are interested in your business sponsoring an hour of the 24 where Emily will give your organisation a shout-out live on air several times during your 60 minutes please contact – [email protected]

To join the gang on their Friday Live music session on any Friday at 9.30am go to – https://www.facebook.com/SnapCharity

Emily will be accompanied by musical friends at the following times:

9:30 am – 24 hours kicks off with the usual SNAP Radio

11.00 am – Lola signing

12 noon – Phoebe

1.00 pm – The Disney Guy

4:30 pm – Rosie Needham

6.00 pm – Elsa from Frozen

8:15 pm – Yasmin Davey Corrigan

9:30 pm – Hilary Cornell

10:30 pm – Matt Haslam-Hammond

Midnight – John Wallis