Male Voice Choir raises its voice and increases mental health fundraising target

VIDEO: FOLLOWING on from the success of its initial fundraising efforts, reaching its £1000 target in just six days from its charity Lockdown Blues virtual performance video, Warrington Male Choir is now chasing an even bigger target.

Recognising the importance of mental health, especially during the current COVID-19 crisis and associated restrictions, the choir has increased its fundraising target to £3000, again in support of Heads Together a campaign, co-ordinated by The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and involving eight inspirational charities, to ensure that people feel comfortable with their own, their family’s and their friends’ everyday mental health and wellbeing.
Once again, the fundraising effort will be linked to the choir’s virtual performance of Lockdown Blues. Written by the choir’s Musical Director, Russell Paterson, during the current COVID-19 lockdown and performed virtually from their own homes by some 30 choir members, with just a little help from Zoom, the hope is that it will be viewed by even more people. To date, the video, recorded appropriately during Mental Health Week, has been viewed nearly 6000 times on Facebook, shared over 100 times and has reached over 12,000 people. If other social media platforms are taken into consideration, the performance has been viewed so far nearly 7000 times.

Commenting, choir Chairman, Bob Williams, said: “From the writing and conducting by Russell, the singing of their individual parts and performance by the members, the fundraising efforts and social media activity handled by Choir Secretary Amanda Davies, it’s been an amazing effort by the choir. Unfortunately, mental health is a major issue in our society, is a particular concern during the current lockdown and is expected to be an even bigger issue once we all get back to some form of normality. For this reason, we have decided to continue our fundraising for Heads Together. As a result, we hope that we will raise even more money for them through our Just Giving page, help in their mission to end the stigma and change the conversation on mental health, as well as reach an even wider worldwide audience for the choir’s amazing and original lockdown performance of Lockdown Blues.”
Donations can be made via a Just Giving link – https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/warringtonmalevoicechoir