THE Swindon Male Voice Choir donated £1,200 to a hospice charity despite having to cancel its Christmas concert.

Members had been looking forward to hosting the festive event on December 17, especially as it would have been their first public performance in 18 months.

Each year, the choir's end-of-year concert supports Julia's House, and although Covid restrictions limited the amount of tickets which could be sold, the choir, Marlborough Youth Choir and Wroughton Silver Band were going to have a full house at Christ Church.

But just two days before the concert, due to the threat of the Omicron variant, a choir member at the Monday rehearsal testing positive on the Tuesday, and other performers having to isolate, the choir had to cancel the concert.

Concert secretary Gordie Smith said: "It was absolutely heart breaking, so disappointing in every way. Our director of music, Max Brockman-More is leaving the choir in April so this was to be his last Christmas Concert and he had prepared the choir so well.

"So as we entered the beginning of 2022, myself and our choir treasurer set about refunding ticket money. Right from the start, I nervously suggest the choice was either to have a refund or donate the ticket money to Julia’s House.

"I truly didn’t expect the result of that tongue in cheek idea! (Tickets were £10 each).

Swindon MVC, Marlborough Youth Choir and Wroughton Silver Band members are donating a total of at least £1,200 to Julia’s House.

Gordie added: "The power of singing - or in this case, not singing!

"We find it hard – almost impossible - to understand the pressures staff and carers at Julia’s House have endured through the Covid pandemic, so it's good to see from newsletters and website positive attitudes are shining through to support those children and their families most in need.

"We know that without ability to stage fund raising events to support Julia’s House Hospice and the work of community carers do in and around the community, finances must have been and still are quite desperate."

The children’s hospice provides a lifeline of care for families of the most seriously ill children in the community. Visit juliashouse.org

The choir is seeking a new director of music after Max leaves. Anyone who is interested should visit the webstie or email smvcsec@live.co.uk