A Nottinghamshire volunteer men’s choir set up to raise cash and awareness for Prostate Cancer UK has almost doubled its initial fundraising target of £10,000.
Men United in Song launched in March with the aim of giving local men with little or no singing experience the chance to learn a new musical skill while making friends and supporting a worthy cause.
More than 100 men from across Nottinghamshire signed up, eclipsing the organisers’ target of 40 volunteers, and have so far raised almost £20,000 for the charity. By the end of the project, which culminates with two spectacular concerts in May, the group is expecting to raise more than £25,000 for Prostate Cancer UK.
The volunteer choir, which comprises more than 80 singers, has been working with local choir directors Deborah Davies and Kieran Seymour, from Radcliffe on Trent Male Voice Choir, to learn the singing techniques and musical pieces required to perform.
They’ll make their live debut in front of a 600-strong audience at Southwell Minster, on Friday 10 May, where they’ll perform alongside the world-renowned Cantamus Girls’ Choir and the Radcliffe on Trent Male Voice Choir, hosted by BBC radio and Notts TV presenter Frances Finn.
Then, on 25 May, they’ll join members of similar volunteer choirs from the other areas participating in the national Men United in Song campaign – Peterborough, Northampton, Welwyn Garden City and Worcester – for another live performance, at Nottingham’s Albert Hall. Both events have already almost sold out.
Malcolm Dillon, from the project, said: “Men United in Song has been a massive success in other parts of the country, and we’re delighted to be bringing it to Nottinghamshire in 2024. We’ve been overwhelmed by the response and how much money we’ve raised so far for this extremely worthy cause.
“Most of the men in the volunteer choir have little or no singing experience. They’re a diverse bunch and come from all walks of life. To take the plunge, rehearse for nine weeks and get ready to sing live alongside two high-profile choirs in Cantamus and the Radcliffe-on-Trent Male Voice choir, is an opportunity that doesn’t come around too often.
“Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK, with more than 52,000 diagnosed every year. It kills one man every 45 minutes in the UK – more than 12,000 a year. That’s why initiatives like this are vital for raising awareness among those who might be affected, but also to raise essential funds for research.
“It also gives those taking part the chance to learn a new skill, make new friends and enjoy singing and live performance. We’re grateful to all those who’ve signed up to take part and donated, and to the businesses who’ve provided generous sponsorship this year to make the event possible.”
For more information about the project, visit www.singingmen.co.uk.
