A £150,000 fundraiser has been launched to help the Music Man Project perform in New York’s Broadway and “fulfil the dream” of its late president Sir David Amess.

The charity, founded in Southend by David Stanley, has launched a GoFundMe in a bid to raise the cash to take 30 of its musicians to America in October 2026.

Plans for the trip include a performance at a famous concert venue in New York, a smaller theatre performance off Broadway and music workshops at schools and charities.

Sir David Amess, the late Southend West MP, was the Music Man Project’s president and during the group’s performance at the Royal Albert Hall in 2019 Sir David announced “The Music Man Project will one day play Broadway, New York”.

Now, Mr Stanley is determined to make this his legacy and “show that good will overcome evil and hope can come from tragedy”.

The charity has consistently said Sir David was their “greatest champion” and fought for opportunities for all musicians with learning disabilities.

Mr Stanley said: “Our greatest achievement will be to finally make Sir David’s dream come true.

“He was our greatest champion and fought for opportunities for our musicians with learning disabilities to show what they can do, rather than focusing on what they need.

“In October 2026, we want to take 30 of our amazing musicians with learning disabilities to perform on Broadway, New York.

“Our itinerary will include a major performance at a famous concert venue in New York, a smaller theatre performance off-Broadway and music workshops to local New York schools and charities.

“We even hope to create a New York Music Man Project as a lasting global legacy in his memory.

“I am determined to make this his legacy, to show that good will overcome evil and hope can come from tragedy.”

The fundraiser comes days after the Music Man Project received the highest honour a voluntary group can receive yesterday – the King’s Award.

Since being set up in 2000, it has inspired more than 16,000 children at music workshops in schools, and every year it travels thousands of miles to perform concerts and launch regional Music Man Projects.

The Music Man Project ambassadors have also played the London Palladium and Royal Albert Hall, delivered a music workshop at 10 Downing Street, and received a standing ovation from the King.

They recently stole the show at the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo in Canada, and have justrecently returned from performing alongside an Italian disability charity in Milan.

Mr Stanley added: “The costs of such a life-changing and ground-breaking campaign are high.

“We need to pay for flights and accommodation for 60-plus people along with the hire of our performance venues. We estimate this to be over £150,000.

“Please join me in making a difference to the global learning-disabled community by helping these remarkable musicians perform on Broadway.

“We hope everyone is inspired by our amazing ambassadors and supports our campaign by visiting our GoFundMe page.

To donate, visit gofundme.com/f/music-is-magic-on-broadway