Story
Thank you for visiting our fundraising page!
We are Phoebe and Anneliese and we are raising money for ChoirBLAST. Phoebe is the CEO and founder of Charity ChoirBLAST and Anneliese volunteers on a weekly basis for the ChoirBLAST created and run Moss Lane School Choir for 5-8 year olds.
Anneliese's STORY
I've been running ever since I was a teenager, mainly having watched my mum run as a way to keep fit, get outside and counteract the daily grind of balancing full time work with three young kids! And now we have come full circle to me running for the exact same reasons and hoping mu daughters are inspired in the same way.
Singing and running feel similar to me in many ways - they offer an escape, something creative to focus on, and (if you are partial to a choir and a race) the chance to do so with other like-minded people. That's why after a hiatus of 10 years, I've started singing again thanks to Phoebe and one of her wonderful jazz choirs, as well as helping volunteer to run the choir at my daughters infant school. Again, I can only hope my children are similarly inspired to sing as a result.
If you know me you'll know I'm a bit (very) competitive, although strangely never really when it's come to running. But this time I've decided to aim for a PB, partly on account of having chosen one of the flattest half marathons there are out there(1), but mostly to make sure it's all worth your kind sponsorship in aid of ChoirBLAST and the extraordinary impact it has on so many people through the singing opportunities it creates.
Phoebe's STORY
If you guys know me then you'll know I have dabbled in running throughout my adult life but until 2025 I had never managed to do any kind of distance run. When Lizzie from Daisy's Sandwiches said to me 'Fancy doing the Great South Run this year', I signed up there and then, whilst ordering my sandwich. About a week later I realised what I had signed up for...a 10 mile run. The longest distance I had previously run was about 5k in a race situation, so, as many of you will know, I take a challenge very seriously. Not only did I absolutely smash my expectations of myself for this Great South Run but I also inspired lots of lovely friends, colleagues and family to get behind me and sponsor.
So, now I am moving forward and training for the Edinburgh Half Marathon on Sunday 24th May 2026 and I've managed to rope a very fast friend into it, Anneliese! Together we will be taking this challenge on.
Running for me is definitely a little bit of headspace, but if you sing with me, then you might also know its a time for me to think about choir arrangements as I'm pounding the pavements.
Which means its only fitting to be raising money for ChoirBLAST. Lots of you will know about the ChoirBLAST annual festival which is a beautiful, joyful event, free to attend and free to perform in and completely diverse and competitive. A little idea I had about three years ago, which is now an epic undertaking each year and solely reliant on funds and volunteers.
By donating, you're not only helping me to keep running, you never know I might take on the Marathon one day, but you are also enriching the lives of those who need singing.
Let's help ChoirBLAST continue their fabulous work :)
ChoirBLAST
Help us to raise money for this fabulous charity, ChoirBLAST, who bring the joy of music to everyone through their creation and leading of Community Choirs.
But also their annual ChoirBLAST Festival, which sees over 3,000 singers join together to sing for the love of it in the only competitive, free to attend, free to perform Choir Festival in the UK.
Watching my child, who has severe autism, stand on stage and sing with the choir filled my heart with joy I never thought possible. In that moment, I saw pure happiness and pride in him, and it meant everything to our family.
ChoirBLAST believe that music is for everyone, whether you’re a seasoned singer or someone who has never sung a note before. By creating choirs in partnership with charities, schools, care homes, and community spaces, ChoirBLAST aim to give everyone the chance to experience the power of singing together.
ChoirBLAST currently run 6 ChoirBLAST Community Choirs serving children and adults with complex disabilities and challenges—into the ChoirBLAST community. We reach more than 200 people each week but we are aiming to expand this mission to enable more and more to access these Choirs.
As one staff member shared, “The choir is a lifeline, helping our pupils connect and shine".
Our goal is to bring people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds together. Whether you’re young or old, able-bodied or differently-abled, music has the power to bridge gaps and build a supportive, inclusive community.
We believe in creating performance spaces where those less able can sing alongside those who are able, celebrating the beauty of diversity and inclusivity through music.
Over the next two years, we aim to create more choirs—serving children and adults with complex disabilities and challenges—into the ChoirBLAST community. Our goal is to reach more than 500 people each week.
Let's help our local community by raising much needed funds for this wonderful charity :)
GROUP SINGING - HAPPY MIND - HEALTHY COMMUNITIES.
Please remember to GIFTAID if you are a tax payer as the charity get 25% extra for no cost to yourself.
www.choirBLAST.com
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.