A DEAF musician who founded a charity to help deaf people to get the most out of music is celebrating a major milestone this summer.

Dr Paul Whittaker OBE founded Music and the Deaf in Huddersfield 25 years ago and is its current artistic director.

His sisters, Mary and Anne, now live in Scotland and do a great deal of charitable work for the deaf there, including running a deaf choir called Singing Hands, which is based in Aberdeen.

All three will be together for a special celebration to mark Paul’s quarter-of-a-century of running his charity on Saturday, August 3 at St Cuthbert’s Church on Grimscar Avenue in Birkby from 1pm to 4pm.

Their mother, Margaret Whittaker, said: “People are welcome to just drop in during the afternoon. It will be a wonderful celebration of all Paul has done with the charity.”

Music And The Deaf was founded by deaf Oxford music graduate Paul in 1988 to help deaf people access music.

Over the years they’ve worked with hundreds of deaf and hearing people, providing workshops, talks and training. One major project sees them setting up deaf youth orchestras and ensembles around the country, with four currently in existence.

For more information go to www.matd.org.uk