Sometimes the music world comes full circle in the most unexpected ways. We recently had a wonderful Zoom call with Glen Ward, former CEO of Virgin Entertainment and now the founder of a new charitable initiative called Rhythm and Relief. A true gentleman — and yes, a proper British chap — Glen has launched Rhythm and Relief to raise funds for charities that use music as a force for healing. We’re honored to share that the Songs of Love Foundation has just been added to the growing list of organizations under his umbrella.

During our conversation, Glen mentioned that he studied at Liverpool University and has been doing work with Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. That caught my attention immediately. I shared our past BBC feature connected to Alder Hey, and he was floored by the full-circle connection. It was one of those moments that reminds you how small — and beautifully interconnected — the world of music and service can be. With an impressive résumé that includes working under Richard Branson at Virgin, Glen brings both credibility and passion to this new chapter.

Through Rhythm and Relief (rhythmandrelief.org), Glen will be hosting fundraising events to support the charities in the network, using live music and community engagement to generate awareness and funds. His board is equally impressive, reflecting decades of experience across the entertainment and nonprofit sectors. If you visit the website and scroll down, you’ll see the Songs of Love Foundation proudly included among the partner charities. We’re excited about what this collaboration can mean — bringing the healing power of personalized songs to even more children and families around the world.