Health charities feature heavily as a popular Suffolk choir announce their adopted charities. They are Camille's Appeal (the Ipswich-based charity for children aged under-five, with a brain tumour), Walton Parish Nurses, the MacMillan Cancer Centre at Ipswich Hospital and the Ipswich Lighthouse Women's Aid.
Money from the choir weekly raffle will be collected and, combined with a donation from choir funds, distributed to the charities in a few months time.
Members have raised £13,500 for charities since their formation in October 2012, as well as supporting other charities and organisations at their fund-raising events.
Last month Felixstowe Community Choir presented cheques to their previous adopted charities when the Felixstowe Volunteer Coast Patrol Rescue was awarded £1,500 and £500 each went to UNICEF, for their work with refugees, the East Anglian Air Ambulance, the Stroke Association and Level Two Youth Project, in Felixstowe.
"We decided to spread our donations more widely, so that more local charities would benefit." explained choir founder, Rachel Sloane. "Members nominated their favourite charities and then voted on which should receive the proceeds of our weekly and concert raffles."
For the next performance of the choir, they have their flags ready as they will be singing at the Last Night of the Proms concert at St Johns Church, Felixstowe on 18 June 2016, to mark the 75th anniversary of Felixstowe Sea Cadets. Proceeds will go to Seafarers UK.
The choir meets on Mondays throughout the year (including Bank Holidays) at the Orwell Hotel and anyone over 18 is welcome to attend. Singers pay £4 per week, and there is the charity raffle.