Beautifully crafted from beech and birch, it can give ‘sound hugs’ as a form of therapy.
It is a ‘sound cradle’, which can provide music therapy to children and adults.
And now super-fit fundraiser Steve Swindon, 61 and from Holt, has undertaken a summer of epic cycling challenges to raise £4,000 to buy one of the instruments for sick kids at East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices.
Mr Swindon’s partner, Jane Rous-Milligan, is a music therapist at The Nook hospice in Framlingham Earl - which already has a sound cradle. He wants to raise enough for one at Each’s branch in Milton, Cambridgeshire.
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He said: “I had no idea how profound an impact it has on people and the sound cradle is an incredible, stunning piece of kit.
“Jane has been using it for two years and loves how versatile and inclusive it is, allowing a child to enjoy the experience but also allowing two people to enjoy being together – for instance a parent and child laying together in a warm ‘sound hug’.
“The sound is calming and accessible to everyone, making it a holistic experience embracing both physical and emotional feelings.”
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As part of his challenge, Mr Swindon has already completed a 200-mile round Norfolk cycle, and plans several more endurance rides including the ‘Iceni Audax 200km’ and the 120-mile ‘Dunwich Dynamo’.
His final mission will be a 180-mile around Each’s three hospices - The Nook, The Treehouse in Ipswich and on to Milton.
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Mr Swindon said: “I’m hoping to be joined by friends for all or part of the journey and it’s the big one, as far as I’m concerned, where I hope to raise the most funds.
“I’ve picked this date as it’s the Saturday of Each’s Ride for Life event, which is a fantastic fundraiser.
To sponsor Mr Swindon, visit www.justgiving.com/page/steve-swindon-each-ride-2023, or to sign up for the Ride for Life, see www.each.org.uk/support-us/events/ride-for-life-2023
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