A YOUTH choir which was reformed in the wake of the Manchester Arena tragedy have set themselves the task of creating an anthem for Bury Hospice. Inspired by the Hospices #HereForYou campaign that was launched when the Hospice had to stop all fundraising activity in response to COVID-19, Katie Geelan, Musical Director of Bury Community Choir and Encore (Burys Youth choir), has corralled her youth choir into action to produce an anthem of support for Bury Hospice.
Since having the idea to sing for their hospice when fundraising events were cancelled due to COVID, the youngsters aged between eight and 15 have been practicing on Zoom to get the words right for the final recording, which is being digitally mastered by Declan West of Declan West Photography who is donating his time to help Bury Hospice too.
The choir have supported Bury Hospice over the past six years, performing at the Hospice Light up a Life service and performing many fundraising concerts.
The anthem video will be released on Bury Hospices website on the anniversary of the MEN Arena tragedy on May 22nd to encourage donations and support for Bury Hospice which has lost around £950,000 in income due to postponing all fundraising activity.
Katie said: Its a privilege to be able to support our hospice in the way we know best by using our voices. Bury Hospice has been there for many people within our community and we want to be there for them. Encore formed to commemorate the life of Olivia CampbellHardy who tragically died in the MEN Arena attack and she would have loved being part of this anthem we are making for Bury Hospice. It just feels like the right thing to do to celebrate Olivias life and help our hospice at the same time.
Steve Goodman, Grandfather Papa of Olivia Campbell-Hardy says: I am so pleased that the Encore Community Choir, who formed in memory of Olivia, are dedicating Why We Sing to Bury Hospice Olivia would have been thrilled. Her passion was singing and helping others, so the anthem for Bury Hospice would have been just what she wanted.
Rachel Wallace, Head of Fundraising and Communications, said: Bury Hospice is absolutely delighted that they are using their talent to support us in this way. We are so excited to be getting our very own anthem #WhyWeSing