Sidmouth buskers prove songs can inspire kindness

Pair take to the streets and raise more than £700 to help Sid Valley Food Bank

A pair of saxophonists have praised generous community efforts for helping them raise more than £700 for the Sid Valley Food Bank.

Jan McCann and Jackie Ensall took to the streets of Sidmouth before Christmas to perform a repertoire of traditional festive songs - and were bowled over by people’s kindness.

The friends played as ‘Small Change’ and, in around seven hours overall, smashed their £500 target. They have now been inspired to keep raising money for local charities throughout 2016.

Jan said: “Jackie and I want to thank everyone who donated so generously to the Sid Valley Food Bank. We had oodles of fun playing Christmas carols on our saxophones and so many people were generous, not just with their money, but with their kind words. Mark Chapman, of Paragon Books, brought us coffee and Lloyds Bank provided ginger biscuits.”

Jackie and Jan both work full-time and usually play their saxophones for fun, but had the idea they could put their musical talents to good use by busking for charity. Food bank manager Lois Swarbrick said: “Two amazing ladies - their hard work and the generous donations have meant that 45 families received a meat voucher in their Christmas hampers.”