More than 200 people came through the doors of St Luke’s Church, Winton, on Saturday for a remarkable 12-hour non-stop Pianathon that raised more than £4,000 towards new accessible toilets and the ongoing transformation of the church into a community hub.
Organised by the Parish of Four Saints, the sponsored event brought together pianists aged from just two years old to over 80 who kept music flowing continuously from 9am until 9pm in a joyful celebration of community and creativity.
Visitors enjoyed an eclectic mix of music throughout the day, from classical favourites to popular tunes, alongside a full programme of refreshments including the church’s much-loved monthly cooked community breakfast, lunch offerings and evening drinks.
The funds raised will go towards installing accessible toilets inside the church building; facilities that St Luke’s currently lacks, with existing toilets located across the car park in the church hall. The improvements form part of a wider vision to create a fully accessible community hub, including café space and facilities for families.
The Parish of Four Saints has a strong community focus and hosts a range of services and activities across the course of the week, including toddler groups, youth programmes, support for people with disabilities, food provision, and social events for all ages. Its vision is to create welcoming, inclusive spaces where people can connect, find support, and build relationships within their local neighbourhoods.
The church is increasingly being used for a wide range of community activities, and the planned improvements aim to make the building more accessible, inclusive and suitable for everyday use.
The Revd Canon Michael Smith, Vicar of the Parish of Four Saints, said, “An extraordinary day! It exceeded our expectations. Throughout the day there was a wonderful atmosphere – full of encouragement from beginning to end for Karen Gillis and Mary Apperley the organisers and the pianists.. Seeing so many people from across the community come together; whether to play, sponsor, volunteer, eat or simply cheer people on was genuinely moving.
“Raising more than £4,000 is a fantastic result, but perhaps even more importantly the day demonstrated exactly what St Luke’s can be: a vibrant, welcoming place at the heart of the community. We are hugely grateful to everyone who played a part in making the Pianathon such a success. We hope to be able to install toilets in the building within the next 12 months.”
