The Piano winner, Grace Matthews, plays first show at Ipswich hospice

Why it matters: The concert gave a dozen families, including bereaved parents and those with a child receiving care, the chance to relax and enjoy live music together at the hospice.

The details: Grace, 19, had her fingers and lower legs amputated after contracting meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia when she was four.

She found a love for music and was inspired to try the piano by her music therapist, Dawn Loome, while being treated at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge. Dawn was also part of the concert at The Treehouse.

Taking to the piano in the second half of the show, Grace played Experience by Ludovico Einaudi, from her winning performance on The Piano and invited the audience to sing along, before a short question-and-answer session with Ray Travasso, EACH's music therapist at The Treehouse.

The big picture: The concert was the latest of the hospice's interactive Music Nights, which give children and families an opportunity to explore sound, rhythm and imagination in a way that suits them, supported by volunteer musicians from across the community.

What they're saying: "I absolutely loved it. What a night and what an experience," said Grace.

"I felt nervous when I first started playing because this was my first public performance since recording the show. Then the butterflies disappeared, and it felt great to be back in front of an audience again.

"Ray has been a great supporter of mine, and it was lovely to come to the hospice, see where he works and meet some of the families being supported."

Ray said he was grateful to Cambridge-based Millers Music for providing a grand piano for the concert through its Piano Equals scheme, a donation and reuse initiative launched to tackle music education inequality and environmental waste.

"Grace is truly inspirational, and it was so generous of her and her family to give up their time to create such an unforgettable experience," he added. "Her performance gave everyone light and hope, and we're truly thankful."

Elsewhere on the night, families were welcomed with a rendition of Billy Joel's Piano Man, before two children receiving care stepped forward to sing.

• Ann-Louise Owens performed A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton
• Charlotte Freegard sang Ed Sheeran's Perfect

Jade Martin brought her daughter Beatrix, nine, who has bilateral cerebral atrophy and severe global dystonia.

"It was a more difficult day for us, but Beatrix was still able to enjoy the music, and what a treat it was to have a grand piano at The Treehouse," she said.

"Being able to stop, listen to such beautiful music and simply be together was a rare and wonderful gift."

The bottom line: Grace's first public performance since winning The Piano brought a moment of calm and togetherness for families supported by The Treehouse, with one parent describing the evening as a rare and wonderful gift.

Don't forget: If you enjoy our content, please add Ipswich.co.uk as a "preferred source" on Google so you can easily find more of the content you value.

This article cost us ~£14 to produce

It's free for you to read thanks to the generous support of our two community impact partners: local contractor Barnes Construction, and flat roof waterproofing and design firm Axter. Please support us by supporting them.