YORK musical charity Jessie's Fund has won a £25,000 boost as it helps special schools use music to assist children in communicating.

Jessie’s Fund, which was set up in memory of a musical little York girl who died of a brain tumour, is set to receive the grant from Global Radio’s 'Make Some Noise' initiative.

The money will support the fund's Soundtracks programme, which brings trained musicians together with teachers and children in special schools to develop a creative musical process and produce high quality performances and/or recordings.

Fund director Lesley Schatzberger said the programme was often inspiring for everyone taking part, as well as parents and carers.

"Taking part in Soundtracks often changes how a school or a teacher works, putting music at the heart of their work and involving every child – whatever their abilities," she said. "It is something wonderful to behold and even more magical to be part of.”

The fund has also been involved in a concert at the Royal Albert Hall, organised by one of Global’s radio stations, Classic FM, to raise funds for the Make Some Noise initiative.

Mrs Schatzberger spoke in front of a full house of more than 5,000 people about the charity's work, prompting donations of more than £6,500 in a bucket collection - the largest amount ever collected in the history of Classic FM Live.

Fund staff will continue fundraising for Make Some Noise today by wearing brightly coloured wigs to take part in a ‘Dress Loud’ day, which encourages people to wear wacky clothes.

Jessie’s Fund was originally set up to help a musical York youngster, Jessica George, travel to the United States to get treatment for an inoperable brain tumour, but she died before she could go and her family decided to use the money raised to benefit other children.

Lesley, who is Jessica's mother, said music had been an important part of her daughter’s life, particularly during her illness, and the fund had begun by working to bring music to children at the local hospice.