Belfast Community Gospel Choir to bring night of song for Cancer Focus

Belfast Community Gospel Choir to bring night of song for Cancer Focus

4 September 2019

THE countdown is on to this month’s fundraising concert in Downpatrick featuring the Belfast Community Gospel Choir.

The September 28 event — in aid of Cancer Focus NI — is being organised by sisters Emma and Evie Telford in memory of their mum, Lorna.

The Quoile Bar and Bistro at the Strangford Road is the venue for the concert which is being sponsored by Phoenix Natural Gas, with the forthcoming concert taking place just days after the fifth anniversary of their mum’s passing following a long battle with lung cancer, despite being a non-smoker.

To date, Emma and Evie have organised several events in aid of Cancer Focus NI, raising thousands pounds for the organisation as their way of giving something back to the charity which provided key support to them at a particularly challenging time in their lives. 

The sisters are also planning to hold a raffle on the night of the concert with all proceeds going directly to a charity which has worked with many families across the district. And they are also producing a fundraising concert programme which has been generously supported by a number of local businesses.

On Monday, Emma and Evie met with Newry, Mourne and Down Council chairman Charlie Casey who is supporting the fundraiser. He is also encouraging people to attend the Downpatrick concert.

Cllr Casey said he was delighted to meet Emma and Evie to learn more about their mum and the work the girls have been doing to support Cancer Focus.

“Cancer Focus provided great support to Emma and Evie during their mum’s illness and following her death. They are a real credit to her and it is fantastic that they were organising events to raise money for the charity,” he said.

“It is their way of giving something back to an organisation which was there for them at a particularly challenging time in their lives.”

Mr Casey said Cancer Focus has helped many families across the district, supporting children who have a parent suffering from cancer and those who have sadly lost a mum or dad to the disease.

The council chairman added: “I am delighted to support the girls’ fundraising concert and wish them every success. I hope people will support this event which promises to be a great night’s entertainment.

“The Belfast Community Gospel Choir is very well known and it will be great to have them performing in our district once again. The September 28 concert promises to be an evening not to be missed and I wish Emma and Evie every success.”

The Downpatrick sisters are committed to helping a 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.

“We are delighted to organise another concert in memory of our mum whom we miss very much,” said the sisters. “We are proud to keep her memory alive by fundraising for Cancer Focus which supports children who have experienced a loss similar to us.”

The girls added: “The charity provides a wide range of services for cancer patients and their families and we are proud to continue supporting Cancer Focus.”

Tickets priced £12.50 for the September 28 concert featuring the Belfast Community Gospel Choir which starts at 7.30pm are available at Down Recorder reception or from David (07779 054029) or Emma Telford (07528 019667). A limited number of children’s tickets priced £8 are also available.

Tickets, which can also be purchased on the night of the concert, are available on line via the Cancer Focus website or contact charity representative Barbara Long, telephone (028) 9066 3281, email barbaralong@cancerfocusni.org.