A TWO- CHOIR concert of nearly one hundred singers has brought women’s safety a step closer in Berkshire.
The 60-strong Reading Male Voice choir teamed up with the award-winning ladies’ choir, the Barberettes, in a Reading concert.
Together they raised £760 towards the £30,000 still needed for a £130,000 campaign to update equipment in the second of the Royal Berkshire Hospital’s two mobile breast screening vans.
The vans tour central and West Berkshire, offering very early detection of cancer.
The concert, at All Saints’ Church, Downshire Square, on Friday May 16, was sponsored by the hospital’s Royal Berks Charity, which raises money to fund developments in the hospital.
Its community and events manager, Martin Butler, said: “Early detection is the key to saving lives.
“These modern machines can reveal the beginnings of cancer long before it can be detected by physical examination.”
The breast screening service is run by an all-women team of mammographers, and usually visits doctors’ surgeries or local hospitals on a three year-cycle, offering screening to women between the ages of 50 and 70.
“Besides being state-of-the art sensitivity, the new machines are also more comfortable for patients,” said Mr. Butler.
The two hour concert ended with both choirs combining to sing the Abba hit, Thank You For The Music, led by Barberettes music director, Emma Lelliot.
Clive Waterman, musical director of the male voice choir said: “We are always glad to sing with the Barberettes.
“They are great entertainers and for this good cause, we were particularly glad to have them with us.”
The Barberettes, three times winners of the Let’s Sing in Reading competition, celebrate their 50th anniversary this year with a trip to the south of France in July to take part in an international choral competition.
Both choirs are based in the Wokingham borough area.
The Barberettes rehearse at St. Nicolas church Earley, and the male voice choir at Hawkeden school, Lower Earley.
For information, visit: royalberkscharity.co.uk, the-barberettes.co.uk and rmvc.net
