THE FAMILY of a musician from the Royal Corps of Army Music is raising funds to create a brass group in his honour following his death.

In January 2021, Robbie Bowering, from Poole, was diagnosed with cancer. For the next two and a half years, he fought the disease; however, in July 2023, he sadly passed away at age 31.

Robbie's father-in-law, Paul Bolden, has set out to raise £10,000 to establish the Robbie Bowering Brass Class within Youth Music Wessex.

The class aims to provide beginners with affordable access to brass tuition and instruments.

Paul said: "Robbie loved music, and he loved singing and playing his instruments, but he was also so loving and caring.

"I was his father-in-law, but to me, he was a son. He was a fantastic husband to my daughter and a fantastic father to his young son."

Robbie's family said that he was a musician both professionally and by inclination.

At nine years old, he learned to play the trombone after meeting with Alan Brown, a Warrant Officer in the Band of the Royal Corps of Signals at Bovington.

In 2015, he joined the Grenadier Guards band, initially on the trombone, and he also went on concert tours in Japan and Pakistan.

He was a regular member of the fanfare team and brass quintet. He was later transferred to the Coldstream Guards Band not long before he was diagnosed with cancer.

Whilst in the Army, he sang as a solo baritone in concert with the bands and the Countess of Wessex String Orchestra.

Pauls said: "We believe it is important for parents to support and encourage a child's musical development. Robbie was fortunate to be surrounded by music.

"With his parents running the Dorset Chamber Opera and later playing brass instruments alongside him, Robbie could appreciate the joy music has brought all our lives."

Paul has signed up to train for a walk, the Nijmegen Marches in the Netherlands, to support his fundraising.

This event takes place later this year in July and will require him to walk 30km (18.6 miles) each day for four consecutive days.

Paul added: "Robbie went too early; he had so much more to give. This is a way for him to 'live on' and help others on their musical journey, whether it be short or long, as a 'pseudo mentor'.

To donate visit:

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/RobbieBoweringBrass?utm_term=9A439RX4J