All of us at the Hallé received the terrible and tragic news of the sudden death of Kate Vokes and her son Archie with deep sadness.

Kate was an inspiration and a true champion of culture and the Oglesby Family as a whole have reshaped Manchester and beyond in so many significant and important ways. A genuine enthusiast, Kate entered all partnerships with energy and conviction and was an immensely generous and kind philanthropist and an engaged and enlightened advocate for the arts. Kate invested time and energy working in partnership with us to improve and sustain our work helping to continue the immense legacy the Oglesby Family generated when they helped us found the Hallé Youth Orchestra and three Youth Choirs over 20 years ago.

Amongst many other projects that have benefited from Kate and the Trust’s help, include maintaining free access for every child across the North West and Yorkshire to access world class tuition and orchestral and singing experience; a significant legacy not just for Manchester but for music across the UK. We are proud to have created the Oglesby Centre at Hallé St Peter’s in Ancoats and we know how proud Kate was of this important new facility for music in Greater Manchester.

We send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Kate and Archie at this terribly sad and difficult time.