As we come to the end of the year, we have been taking time to reflect on the incredible journey of the Gerry Anderson Music Bursary—and what a journey it has been. What started as a simple hope to honour Gerry’s legacy and support emerging musicians has grown into something truly special, powered by the enthusiasm, generosity, and creativity of so many people.

Raising Funds & Building Momentum

This year saw an amazing wave of support as we raised funds to for the bursary. We are deeply grateful for the generous contribution from IMRO, whose belief in the bursary helped make this year’s award possible. Every donation, every message of support, and every shared story reminded us why this initiative matters.

An Incredible Team Behind the Scenes

None of this would have happened without the talent and dedication of some brilliant partners.

A huge thank you to Charlotte Dryden at the Oh Yeah Music Centre—her expertise and enthusiasm have been invaluable from start to finish, especially allowing us to both launch the bursary and include it in the line up at the NI Music Prize. We were also fortunate to work with Julie Sherlock and Nicola Bothwell, whose PR support helped us launch the bursary with energy and impact.

On top of that, we are so grateful to Columb Arbuckle, Stephen McCauley, Paddy Nash, and Thomas Black for all their help, encouragement, and behind-the-scenes support throughout the year.

Shining a Light on Media Support

We were overwhelmed by former colleagues and friends that helped spread the word and keep the spirit of the bursary alive. A heartfelt thank you to BBC Radio Foyle and Mark Patterson, and to our friends at BBC Radio Ulster including Lynette Fay, Marie-Louise Muir, Gerry Kelly, and Stephen McCauley as well as Frank Mitchell at U105 and Robin Elliott. Each of them generously featured the bursary, helping us reach musicians across the country—and honouring Gerry’s memory in such a meaningful way.

Choosing a Winner from an Exceptional Field

This year, 25 artists applied for the bursary, each bringing their own passion, originality, and artistry. The judging panel had the difficult task of narrowing down a field packed with talent. It wasn’t easy—at times, it wasn’t far off impossible—but after careful consideration, we were delighted to award the inaugral Gerry Anderson Music Bursary to Polar Bolero.

Their work stood out for its creativity, originality, and unique spark—qualities we know Gerry would have loved.

A Year Full of Warmth, Stories, and Shared Memories

What moved us most wasn’t just the music, but the people.

So many of you shared beautiful memories of Gerry when you got in touch—stories filled with warmth, humour, and gratitude. As a family, we were genuinely blown away by the level of goodwill and excitement surrounding the bursary. It felt like Gerry was right there with us in spirit, encouraging the musicians and cheering them on as only he could.

Looking Ahead

This year has taught us that Gerry’s ethos—supporting artists, celebrating creativity, and lifting up new voices—still resonates deeply with so many. We feel incredibly privileged to continue this work in his name.

Over the coming months, we’ll be taking time to reflect on everything we’ve learned and exploring what might be possible next. There’s so much more we hope to do to support emerging musicians and keep Gerry’s legacy flowing into the future.

Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey. Your support means more than you know.

Here’s to music, community, and the magic that Gerry continues to inspire.