Derby Community Choir has raised £2,200 for local Derby-based charity Annabel’s Angels — over 2 years later than the original planned concert.

Originally due to take place on 21 March 2020 – 2 days before our PM told people to stay at home – the local amateur community choir of 72 members had to cancel for fears about participants’ and the audience's wellbeing. Little did they know it would be May 2022, more than 2 years later, before they would be able to perform.

The concert was finally held in the magnificent Pears Hall at Repton School in May 2022. Over 200 family and friends were entertained by a full repertoire of songs from the shows, standards and three outstanding solos, demonstrating a varied range of voices and interests.

The choir – who rehearse at Leylands Estate on Broadway – is a mixed choir of ladies and men, covering all voices and age ranges. Musical Director Robin Fugill said: "We all enjoyed a thoroughly entertaining evening of memorable songs, sung memorably by a great choir”

The choir and audience raised £2,200 for local charity, Annabel’s Angels. The charity offers financial assistance to people and families living with all types of cancer, from a wide range of backgrounds and ages. Using donations from the public it offers a small financial grant scheme for applicants and was hardest hit by the pandemic, despite a doubling of requests for help.

The volunteer-led team works closely with the Royal Derby hospital, MacMillan Cancer Information Centre, Nottingham Young Lives vs Cancer, and Nottingham Children and Young People’s Specialist Services, support includes vouchers for groceries, clothing, and adaptations to the home.

Rachel Hayward, Chair of the charity and a member of the choir, added:

"Our grant scheme is funded through fundraising events and public donations which were all but wiped out by the restrictions over the past 2 years. This funding has come just at the right moment, and we will be able to support at least 10 families with the money raised by the concert. We are so thankful to the choir for agreeing to perform and waiting those 2 long years to showcase their amazing voices”.
“We are continuing to see a considerable rise in requests for help from local families struggling to make ends meet when a cancer diagnosis affects their finances. We are able to offer highly personalised support but are seeing the majority of requests for supermarket vouchers so that essentials can be purchased. Cost of living rises are affecting everyone at the moment, but when you are unable to work because of treatment, budgets become increasingly stretched. Fundraising events such as the concert enable us to help the most in need during very difficult times.”

The choir is open to new members, and no previous experience is required. It meets every Wednesday – please visit http://www.derbycommunitychoir.com/