At their weekly rehearsal the Rushmoor ‘Odd Fellows’ Male Voice Choir presented a cheque to the Friends of Farnham Hospital representing the proceeds of their Christmas concert at Farnham Maltings which included guest performances by the St. Lawrence Chobham Handbell Ringers. The Friends are planning to use the donation to fund the placement of a defibrillator unit on the external wall of the hospital so it can be available 24 hours a day.
Peter Viveash, Chairman of The Rushmoor ‘Odd Fellows’ Male Voice Choir, presented Mary Probert, and George Alford of The Friends of Farnham Hospital with a cheque for £1,100 raised at a concert held on 6th December 2016 at the Farnham Maltings. The choir, under the baton of Musical Director Steve Petch and accompanied by Margery Wakefield, entertained the audience with a wide repertoire from classic choral numbers through popular hits including several Christmas tunes. The handbell ringers from St. Lawrence in Chobham lent a particularly seasonal feel to the concert.
Presenting the donation Peter Viveash commented “For our annual Farnham Maltings concert we were very happy to once again to sing in aid of the Friends of Farnham Hospital. It is a great local charity supporting the health needs of Farnham – and the idea of increasing the availability of defibrillators is bound to be valuable in potentially saving lives”.
Receiving the cheque Mary Probert said “As President of the Friends I would like to extend our gratitude to the choir for the most generous donation towards our goal of providing a defibrillator for the benefit of the Centre for Health and wider community. Music is now well accepted for its contribution towards wellbeing and mindfulness and the choir certainly plays as huge part in lifting the spirits of our patients. We are so grateful for the choir’s support and we look forward to our continued alliance.”
The choir have a long relationship with Farnham Hospital and are looking forward to performing their annual mini concert in the entrance hall as part of the Farnham Fringe Festival on 19th June. Details of all the choirs upcoming concerts can be found on rushmoormvc.com.
(Photo attached shows cheque presentation, L to R, Peter Viveash, Chair of Rushmoor Male Voice Choir, Mary Probert, President of Friends of Farnham Hospital, George Alford, Chair of Friends of Farnham Hospital, Paul Aldridge, Trustee of Rushmoor Male Voice Choir)