THE Belfast Community Gospel Choir is coming to Downpatrick this September for a fundraising concert in aid of Cancer Focus NI.
The event is being organised by Emma and Evie Telford in memory of their mum Lorna who sadly passed away after a long battle with lung cancer almost three years ago, despite being a non-smoker.
Lorna was a former assistant director with the South Eastern Trust and was held in high regard by her peers, particularly in the field of safe and effective care.
Last May, Queen’s University honoured the memory of the former Downpatrick health professional through an annual award in her name, while the South Eastern Trust launched a bi-annual award in her name recognising care and compassion in nursing and midwifery, with the first Lorna Telford Care and Compassion Award presented by in 2015.
The September 16 concert takes place at Downpatrick Cricket Club at 7.30pm with the multi-cultural gospel choir looking forward to performing at the local venue to raise funds for a charity which helped Emma and Evie during their mum’s illness and after her death.
Emma in particular is looking forward to the September concert as she is a member of the Belfast Community Gospel Choir, renowned for its dynamic performances, charged with joy, passion and energy.
Choir members come from all parts of Northern Ireland and are led by their incomparable director, Marie Lacey with her natural exuberance and enthusiasm mirrored by every BCGC performer.
Her great passion has always been gospel and soul music and in 2009 formed the choir — which is made up of 100 auditioned singers — who perform to packed houses in various-sized ensembles.
Emma and Evie have organised a number of events in aid of Cancer Focus NI, raising several thousand pounds for the organisation as their way of giving something back to the charity which provided key support at a particularly challenging time in their lives. And they are also planning to host an auction and raffle on the night of the concert.
Still acutely feeling the loss of their beloved mum, the sisters want to help the charity which provides vital support to children who have a parent suffering from cancer and those who have lost a mum or dad to the disease.
“Evie and I are delighted to organise the September event in memory of mum whom we miss so much,” said Emma. “In her working life, mum put patients at the centre of everything she did and at home she was devoted to Evie and I.
“We are pleased mum’s memory lives on through the Queen’s University and South Eastern Trust awards and know she would be pleased we are organising the concert in her name this September.”
Emma and Evie say they are very proud of their mum and will continue to keep her memory alive, despite the pain of not having her around anymore.
Emma added: “Cancer Focus NI provides a wide range of services for cancer patients and their families and Evie want to give something for the back for the help and support we have received from the charity.
“We have seen at first hand the magnificent work it does for others and it is an organisation we are proud to be associated with. We know that mum would be proud we are continuing to support the charity as it helped her during her illness. The concert will be an event not to be missed and we hope people will support it.”
Concert tickets, priced £10, are available at Down Recorder reception or from David Telford (07779 054029) and Emma Telford (07528 019967). They can also be purchased on line via the Cancer Focus website or contact charity representative Barbara Long, telephone (028) 9066 3281, email barbaralong@cancerfocusni.org.