AWARD-winning schoolboy violinist Anthony Knight, from Minehead, will perform concerts in some of Europe’s most exclusive hotels this summer to raise funds for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
But he needs help to cover the cost of the tour and has appealed for anybody who can support him to visit his online GoFundMe page.
Anthony has already raised nearly £7,000 for the victims of the war in Ukraine by playing violin recitals in 32 churches in the Bath and Wells Diocese, which saw him receive a High Sheriff Award for his outstanding contribution to the community.
His fund-raising began last year when he was moved by the plight of refugees from the war.
Anthony, aged 16, who is lead violinist in the Taunton School Orchestra, said: “I wanted to help them out in some way.
“I figured that I could not fly over there and help them on the border, so I thought I would use my talents to help them out through raising money.
“It has been a wonderful experience travelling around Somerset and meeting lots of interesting people. Everybody has been so generous.”
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Anthony played Bach’s Partita No 2, Allemande and Sarabande, and Bach’s Sonata No 3, Largo on his violin for 15 minutes at the end of Anglican church services to collect money for the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Ukraine appeal, which is providing food, sanitation, education, and shelter for those suffering the effects of the war.
Now, he is planning 12 concerts between July 25 and August 8 in nine cities in six countries over the 15 days with the funds going to UNICEF.
He will travel with his parents and give performances in Brussels, Frankfurt, Bern, Milan, Venice, Vienna, Prague, Berlin, and Cologne.
Anthony’s father Paul Knight said: “I am delighted to say that interest in Anthony's ‘UNICEF Grand Tour’ is growing.
“Stephanie Wright, director of sales and marketing at Sofitel Frankfurt Opera commented, ‘What a great initiative’, and has already booked him to give a recital in their Schönemann Restaurant on July 27.”
Taunton School director of music Toby Carden said: “The combination of Anthony’s incredible musicianship and his dedication to supporting people in need was such a positive and creative response to terrible injustice.
“We are immensely proud of Anthony’s achievements.
“As a young person he showed that we can all make a positive difference to our society and the world.”
Anthony is studying A-level music at Taunton School and leads the school’s symphony orchestra and a string quartet.
He was also winner of the Taunton Young Musician of the Year in 2022 and was runner-up in the final of the Rotary Young Musician of the Year competition.
Headmaster James Johnson said: “We are so pleased for Anthony winning this award. It is a real honour for him and well deserved.
“This is a great example of how creative talent, hard work, and the desire to make a difference can come together to make a real impact in the community.”
Retiring High Sheriff of Somerset Jennifer Duke said: “Anthony has provided us all with a wonderful example, in that however we choose to do it, we can make a positive contribution to our communities and the wider world.”
The link to Anthony’s fund-raising page is https://gofund.me/bbbd56be.