Star-studded Silver Clef Awards raises more than £780k for charity as P!NK among honorees | Music | Entertainment

The O2 Silver Clef Awards has raised more than £780,000 for music therapy charity Nordoff and Robbins, with superstar P!NK among the headline honourees.

This year’s ceremony was held at the Royal Albert Hall, marking the event’s 50th anniversary. Nordoff and Robbins — founded by American composer Paul Nordoff and British special education teacher Clive Robbins — has raised more than £17 million over the past five decades.

The awards bring together leading figures from across the music industry to celebrate artists’ achievements, while shining a light on the growing demand for music therapy. Nordoff and Robbins’ therapists work in settings including care homes, dementia units, specialist therapy centres and neuro-rehabilitation centres.

Speaking at the event, Chair of the Board of Trustees Emma Banks said: “Over 50 years, so much has changed in the world of music and in society, but what hasn’t changed is this: music therapy puts people before systems, and dignity before diagnosis.”

She added: “The demand for music therapy is growing and the costs of delivering high quality work continue to rise. Fundraising events like this have always been a huge part of how we keep going, and we are so grateful to all of you.”

P!NK received the flagship O2 Silver Clef Award, given to artists who have made a generational impact on the music landscape. She said: “I feel so honoured to receive this award. I’ve always tried to use my voice, on and off stage, to advocate for the causes closest to my heart, and I’m proud to support an organisation that turns compassion into real action every single day.”

Other winners on the night included Lily Allen, who was presented with the Icon Award, and Jessie J, who received the Outstanding Achievement in Music Award.

Jessie J joked: “I think I won all my awards in 2010 in the space of three months,” before paying tribute to Nordoff and Robbins and the work it does.

Sporty Spice, Melanie C, was also in attendance to collect the Global Impact Award. She was introduced by actor Richard E Grant who marked the 30th anniversary of the Spice Girls movie by wearing the same purple suit he wore in the film as their manager Clifford.

Hugging Grant, Mel C said: “Clifford – aka Richard E Grant – was the only manager the Spice Girls didn’t sack.” She then thanked her bandmates, saying: “I would not have the opportunity to be a solo artist if I wasn’t a Spice Girl, so I have to thank Victoria, Melanie, Geri and Emma. I love you all dearly.”

Guests also had the opportunity to bid in a live auction to boost the charity total, and heard from people whose lives have been changed by music therapy.

One of them, Ed, was hit by a taxi during his second year of university and suffered a brain injury, spending six months in a non-responsive coma. When he began to regain consciousness, he was transferred to Northwick Park Hospital in London for rehabilitation, where he met Nordoff and Robbins music therapist Jessica.

Through music therapy, Ed was able to reconnect with the world, and left hospital 14 months later having learned to play the piano.

The O2 Silver Clef Awards was traditionally held as a luncheon at the JW Marriott Grosvenor House on Park Lane, before moving to an evening event for the first time in 2025.