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14th February 2018

‘Cancer survivors’ choir joins Lighthouse charity show

A choir made up of people affected by cancer has joined the bill at a unique charity show in Poole next month.

Rising Voices Wessex will appear alongside a host of other performers in Dancing with Choirs, at the Lighthouse Theatre, on March 10.

Dancing with Choirs is directed by Marie Duffy Pask, choreographer of the internationally-acclaimed ‘Lord of the Dance’ and will see local dance academies and choirs performing side by side, on stage for the first time.

All money raised by the event will benefit the show’s organisers, Dorset Cancer Care Foundation, which helps families facing financial hardships because of cancer, and Wessex Heartbeat which supports the work of the Wessex Cardiac Centre at Southampton General Hospital.

Rising Voices has choirs in Poole and Bournemouth, for people whose lives have been affected by cancer either as a patient, as a carer or through bereavement.

Rising Voices choir member Amanda Rowberry, 63, has been treated successfully for bowel cancer. She will be among the choir members performing in Dancing with Choirs, at the Lighthouse Theatre, on March 10

Amongst its members is Amanda Rowberry, 63, from Corfe Mullen.

Amanda was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer in February 2011.

The mother-of-two underwent surgery followed by chemotherapy and joined Rising Voices in January 2016 with her husband Duncan.

Amanda said:  “I am a great believer in the power of the arts and am very excited to be part of Dancing with Choirs.

“It’s not every day you can see dance groups performing everything from tap to ballet, accompanied by choirs like ours singing classical pieces, right through to Michael Jackson hits. I think it will be a real feast for the senses.”

Amanda was given the all-clear from cancer in September 2016 but says Rising Voices continues to help her through difficult times, and has provided lasting friendships.

“I can feel tired and downhearted when I arrive for a choir rehearsal, but by the end of the evening my spirits soar and I feel the wonderful warmth of happiness wash over me,” she said.

“Rising Voices is the most amazing choir. We are held together by the bond of cancer and singing together transforms us all.”

Ken Wilde, commercial manager of the Wessex Heartbeat charity said: “Both ourselves and Dorset Cancer Care Foundation are thrilled that the Rising Voices Choir has joined the bill of Dancing with Choirs.

“We also want to thank our sponsor Goadsby and all our participating choirs and dance groups for making the show possible.

“We now hope people will buy tickets and come along to enjoy a truly inspirational and uplifting evening.”

Contact the Lighthouse Box Office for tickets on: 01202 280000.

More information of the event here

Many thanks to our sponsors for their generous support, visit their websites below:

Sponsorship opportunities are still available, to discuss these packages further or if you have any other questions please contact admin@dccf.co.uk –  Telephone: 07593 890 879

Media information from Debbie Granville on 07884 657782 email: Debbie.granville@deepsouthmedia.co.uk