Herts & Soul Community Choir raise £2,000 for Isabel Hospice in 10th anniversary celebrations

A hundred singers put on a successful virtual charity concert to celebrate their Bishop's Stortford choir's tenth anniversary year.

Herts & Soul Community Choir raised more than £2,000 for Isabel Hospice with their seasonal spectacular, Comfort and Joy – A Christmas Celebration Concert.

Choir founder Chris Humphreys and musical directors Susie Savage and Peter Clayton organised monthly virtual rehearsals for the singers – nicknamed 'soulsters' – and managed to film and put together the uplifting virtual show.

Renee Friend, an Isabel Hospice volunteer for more than 30 years, said: "With thanks to the generosity of our local communities who watched this fantastic concert, £2,080 has been raised which could fund a spell of care for two patients and their families by our Isabel nurses’ Hospice at Home team in our town."

The money could not have come at a better time. The hospice relies on donations and income from fundraising events and its network of 18 charity shops. Owing to the coronavirus crisis, it faces a funding deficit of £1.9m.

"Isabel Hospice patients, families, nurse, staff and volunteers are all extremely grateful for the incredible support of Herts & Soul Community Choir and all our local communities," said Renee.

The 2018 Indies awards Charity Champion winner added: "Isabel Hospice provides care and support for patients and families locally and throughout east Hertfordshire, in their own homes, care homes and our in-patient unit, and extended this care to admit Covid-19 patients and to also provide bereavement support to families who lost a loved one to this devastating virus."