Members of a local Choir – Bolton Cancer Voices, formed just 5 years ago to inspire and support cancer patients and cancer survivors in a fun and positive way, are celebrating after learning that they are to appear at the Royal Albert Hall, London, next year, in a concert raising money for Cancer Research UK.
Bolton Cancer Voices is amongst a handful of Choirs from the North West who will be following the glittering road to one of the world’s most iconic concert venues.
The ‘Festival Of Brass And Voices’ has been held every 3 years for almost two decades and brings together Choirs from across the United Kingdom, together with two Brass Bands with international repute – The Cory Band and Grimethorpe Colliery Band. The spectacular event will see over 1,000 voices raised in what promises to be an outstanding musical extravaganza.
Bolton Cancer Voices Chair, Karen Elliott, said: -
‘There really couldn’t be a more pertinent event for us to be a part of, as cancer research in the broadest sense has saved, extended or improved the quality of life of every one of our members.
Open to everyone, anywhere, who has received a cancer diagnosis of any type, at any time, the Choir symbolizes the enormous strides achieved by cancer research through the decades, right across the cancer pathway from diagnosis to survivorship. I understand current statistics show that 1 in 2 of us born after 1960, will ultimately receive a cancer diagnosis at some point in life. The Choir sends a clear message to anyone whose life is touched by this disease, that there is life with and beyond cancer.
We applied to participate in the 2018 event two years ago and have been keeping it under wraps. It’s a big risk for us because of the financial implications but it’s such a phenomenal, once in a lifetime, opportunity, that we just couldn’t let it pass.
Everyone is so excited. It will definitely take us to the next performance level in terms of technical ability, performance skills and confidence.’
In addition to the unusual membership criterion of Bolton Cancer Voices, remarkably also, there are no membership fees.
Karen said: -
‘From the outset it has been fundamental to our ethos that we don’t levy membership fees, as financial worries can be one of the hidden effects of cancer and we didn’t want to create a barrier to people participating in something that may prove beneficial to them.
It does however mean that we have to find alternative sources of funding our annual running costs of around £7,000, as well as ensuring we have the necessary money to continue growing and developing the Choir.
We need to raise an extra £13,715 to meet the costs of our involvement in the ‘Festival Of Brass And Voices’. But if I’ve learnt anything over the years, it’s that life is unpredictable: no one knows better than our members that receiving a cancer diagnosis can be life-changing but being part of Bolton Cancer Voices can be life-affirming. Our members are truly amazing: they seize the day and live life to the full no matter what their story. We owe it to them to keep fresh, exciting and challenging opportunities on the horizon, so everyone has something positive to focus on, no matter what else may be happening in their life.
By far, this is our most ambitious and costly undertaking to date, but to us no price can be put on the benefits our members derive from their involvement in the Choir.’
With £2,000 already raised towards their target, the Choir are now turning to Crowd Funding to help them realize the outstanding sum and have launched a Just Giving campaign. They hope that individuals, businesses and groups will support them in achieving this once in a lifetime opportunity.
To donate go to: - https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/bolton-cancervoices or contact Karen on 01204 595562.
Bolton Cancer Voices can next be seen in their annual ‘Jingle Bell Sing-A-Long’ concert in the Victoria Hall, Bolton, on Saturday 2nd December, 2017, at 6-45pm; when their guests will be the popular Greater Manchester Police Band.
Why not join them for a night of wonderful Christmas melodies and well-known carols and get your festive season off to a great start.
Suitable for the whole family, tickets for ‘Jingle Bell Sing-A-Long’, priced £10-00 / £5-00 (under 19s), are available from the Victoria Hall Box Office and on the door, the night of the concert: doors open at 6-15pm.
