LEEDS, England, September 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Famous faces as diverse as Sir Paul McCartney, singer-songwriter Emeli Sandé, acclaimed writer Alan Bennett, classical musician Katherine Jenkins, percussionist Evelyn Glennie, Grammy award-winning opera singer Sir Thomas Allen and comedienne Jenny Éclair are among those who have lent their support to the University of Leeds' latest charity initiative, 'Piano Postcards', which aims to raise funds for two high profile music charities, Nordoff Robbins and Live Music Now.

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120925/563137-a )
     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120925/563137-b )

The initiative, which follows the world famous Leeds International Piano Competition of which the University is a long-term supporter, features well known individuals associated with Yorkshire and the Arts generally contributing a postcard themed around pianos and music. The postcards now form part of a unique exhibition hosted at the Stanley & Audrey Burton Gallery, Leeds; they will be auctioned off on eBay to raise funds for the two charities.

The exhibition runs until Saturday 13 October, while the eBay auction will start on Thursday 4 October and finish on Sunday 14 October. Admission to the exhibition is free, for full details please visit http://www.leeds.ac.uk/leedspiano

The University's Vice Chancellor Professor Michael Arthur said: "The University has hosted 'The Leeds', as the competition is affectionately known, for much of its 50 year history. It is of international importance and enjoys a well-deserved reputation for excellence within its field, which very much fits in with our own ambition of securing a place within the world's top 50 universities. The competition is a great advert for Leeds, Yorkshire and indeed the whole country, and we are proud to be associated with it."

"The Piano Postcards initiative is our way of strengthening these links, as well as supporting other areas of the musical community. We are grateful to all those who have lent us their support."

Jo Carter, Director of Fundraising and Communications for Nordoff Robbins comments:

"Piano Postcards is an inspiring initiative forging together the world of art and music with some of the UK's most admired celebrities. The funds raised will help Nordoff Robbins to continue to transform the lives of vulnerable children & adults through music therapy. As this exhibition coincides with the world famous Leeds International Piano Competition, it is a fantastic platform for emerging talent all round. We are honoured to be involved."