Shropshire’s Jigsaw Sound choir has raised a record breaking £4,639 for its annual charity for 2012, Shrewsbury Samaritans. The non-profit, 80-strong, mixed voice choir raised the money through concerts, including a sell-out performance at Theatre Severn and by organising fundraising events.
Choir members nominate a local charity each year; they then hold a secret ballot to decide which one they will support. In addition to the money Jigsaw has raised for Shrewsbury Samaritans, it has also performed to raise funds for a variety of churches and charities, bringing its charitable donations for 2012 to well over £ 10,000.
Choir Manager, Vernon Page, from the Pulse Hair Studio Shrewsbury, said: “Every year we raise more and more for our annual charity. Everyone involved is thrilled that we’ve donated so much, but I’m particularly pleased as Shrewsbury Samaritans was my nomination last year.
“We rack our brains to think of new fundraising ideas, and this year the support we’ve had from people across Shropshire has been fantastic. We’ve sung to packed out churches, village halls, Theatre Severn and pubs, and our final performance of 2012 in the Market Hall certainly brought some cheer to the stallholders on a cold and rainy evening.”
Bridie Halton of Shrewsbury Samaritans said: “It’s funny to think that a chat with Vern while having my hair done at his salon would lead to the biggest single donation we have ever received. We’ve had so much fun as well. This time last year I never thought I’d be talking about the work we do in front of a packed out auditorium at Theatre Severn and then leaping up and down taking part in one of Jigsaw’s audience participation songs. They’ve worked so hard, we can’t thank them enough.”
The results of the choir’s secret ballot for its 2013 charity will be revealed soon. Meanwhile the choir is busy learning its new repertoire for concerts across Shropshire and its tour of Derbyshire this summer. Members are also thinking hard about new ways to raise even more for this year’s lucky local charity.
Jigsaw Sound is a mixed voice choir, formed in 2006, with members from across Shropshire. They raise funds each year for an annual charity and additional church and charity appeals. Previous annual charities include: West Mercia Women’s Aid (2011), Breast Cancer Haven (2010) and The Ark (2009).
If you would like to join the choir, which is actively looking for members for the tenor and bass sections or would like to book the choir for an event or wedding, please contact Colin or Angela on 01743 244195 or fill in the form on its website: www.jigsawsound.org
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