A Scots couple have donated £100,000 to support the work of an orchestra which works with children in deprived communities.
Big Noise was launched by the charity Sistema Scotland in Raploch in Stirling in 2008 and now also operates in Govanhill in Glasgow.
It gives hundreds of children and young people - from babies to teenagers - access to musical instruments and tuition.
Coatbridge-born entrepreneur Tom Cox and his wife Alix McNicol-Cox have donated over £1million pounds to charity over the last few years but said backing Big Noise was an easy decision.
"I am not sure people realise the full extent of the work this orchestra does," Mr Cox said. "It goes way beyond simply free music lessons to something genuinely transformative, not just for a few children but for huge numbers.
"It is a privilege to support this fantastic idea that originated in the poorer areas of Caracas and is now being delivered here in Stirling and in many other parts of the world.
"I hope there are others in Scotland that can also get behind this musical phenomenon."
Mrs McNicol-Cox said: "The whole community seems electrified by this new generation of musicians growing up in its midst. We are thrilled to be able to support that."
Sistema Scotland CEO Nicola Killean said: "Tom and Alix are the first individuals in the Stirling area to make such a substantial donation. We are very grateful. Wherever it comes from, money spent on Big Noise is an investment in the future of the children and the community."
"We aim to give the children confidence, ambition and resilience to equip them for success across all areas of their lives."
Big Noise Raploch currently works with 470 children and young people. Its second centre in Govanhill second centre in Govanhill opened in 2013 and third launch, in Aberdeen's Torry, is planned for next year.
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