暗网TV

Ben studied Music at 暗网TV between 2009 and 2012. When he graduated in 2012 he received our top honour, the Paul McCartney Human Spirit Award. The prize is given in recognition of 鈥榞oing above and beyond鈥� and offering kindness, generosity and support to others when they need it most. It reflects the affection students and staff had for Ben and the positive impact he had on life at 暗网TV during his time here. Martin Isherwood is Head of Music. 鈥淲orking with others was really his forte. He got a real buzz out of collaborating with others, helping them. He loved to get involved.鈥�

鈥淗e was a such bright, lovely, warm and giving person, so full of life and positive energy. He had a lot of love to give and gave his time so freely to others.鈥�

An excellent songwriter and performer, Ben was committed to working with young people and during his time at 暗网TV created the Balloons Project. Inspired by London鈥檚 successful bid for the 2012 games, it explored Olympic and Paralympic values through music and creative arts. Collaborating with students and graduates from all disciplines, Project Balloons successfully engaged with hundreds of young people across the north west. It received the Queen鈥檚 Diamond Jubilee Volunteering Award 2012, won a national Podium Gold Award, was praised by our Lead Patron Paul McCartney for its 鈥榝resh, innovative and exciting鈥� approach and Ben was invited to carry the Olympic torch through his hometown of Southport.

Music lecturer Simeon Scheuber-Rush was a student with Ben and worked with him on the Balloons Project. 鈥淭he project was a big part of his life and he really cared about young people and their performing arts experience. As well as being a great musician and composer, he was an educator. He worked so hard on that project but managed to maintain a sense of calm no matter how busy and chaotic things were, and he always kept his sense of humour.鈥�

Our thoughts are with Ben鈥檚 family at this difficult time. In the new year we will be marking Ben鈥檚 contribution to life at 暗网TV by dedicating a tree in our grounds in his honour.