By Julie Waters
THREE charities have benefited from the talented singers of Donaghadee Community Choir.
The choir has been delighting the local community for the past 14 years and now boasts a 50 strong membership.
With choir director Judith Hall, accompanist Norma Patterson, chairwoman Louise Bryson and vice-chair Alison Taylor at the helm, the local singers have enjoyed another busy year.
Looking back at the past 12 months, Louise said they were thrilled to hold their annual concert Through the Decades at Killard School, in the town, back in June.
They raised funds for young Anna Rainey’s charity Rainey Days after she suffered a brain tumour back in 2022.
The youngster, whose parents Greg and Laura have links to the seaside town, was left fighting for her life after undergoing surgery in Liverpool.
Said Mrs Bryson: “The family now navigates a very different world with Anna and continues to keep us updated with her fun adventures and with her health.”
The chairwoman explained their second chosen charity was Friends of the Cancer Centre.
“This was in memory of a young local man, Daniel Donnan, who was treated at the centre in the last three days of his life” said Mrs Bryson.
“Daniel, son of Brian and Sharon Donnan passed away suddenly after being diagnosed with a very rare form of testicular cancer.”
During the summer, as part of Donaghadee Community Festival, the choir also organised a musical afternoon tea in Donaghadee Methodist Church in aid of Breast Cancer Now.
Said Mrs Bryson: “We were blessed to have two full sittings with lots of generous donations. We had a guest speaker telling us of her experience living with breast cancer. Our tables were dressed by Janice McArthur at ‘theschoolgarden1895’.”
Anyone interested in booking Donaghadee Community Choir for an event can make contact through the Facebook page or email: Alisontaylor4966@gmail.com
