Choir singers raise hundreds for MacMillan centre

This week’s Local Heroes are the members of Pyecombe Choir, who braved chilly December temperatures in aid of the new MacMillan Cancer Support Centre in Brighton.

The group only formed in October last year with the intention of reviving carol signing in their village. However they soon found themselves showcasing their vocal talents at two official engagements before carol singing door-to-door over Christmas.

Resident conductor Jane Money said she was “delighted” to discover that more than half-a-dozen choir members were able to “sing in parts from the word go” at their first meeting.

She said: “I started the first rehearsal gingerly with some vocal warm-ups but soon realised that, actually, these people could sing and that we were going to have a lot of fun.”

Soon the group embarked on door-to-door carol singing and, only expecting to raise a nominal amount, surprised themselves with their final fundraising figure.

Ms Money said: “When it came to door-to-door carol singing on December 19, our members wanted to collect a bit of money for a local charity.

“Pyecombe resident Fran Playford had been incredibly busy raising money for the new MacMillan centre and her amazing efforts inspired us to take up her cause.

“We only expected to raise £50 or so. After all, Pyecombe is a very small village.

“But we raised a staggering £240.48 for the new cancer centre, which is due to open in August this year.”

Macmillan’s Cancer Support Centre in Brighton is expected to help thousands of patients and their families every year.

It will be based next to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, which provides specialist cancer services for patients throughout the county.

A fundraising campaign, supported by The Argus, was launched four years ago to create the purpose-built centre.

The building will cost £5.96m, with Macmillan contributing nearly £3.96m.

Pyecombe Choir is continuing to rehearse this year and will be singing at various village events.