Rock Choir Members from Aberdeen, Cults, Inverurie and Stonehaven performed at a Nepal Appeal concert on Saturday, 20th September near Banchory, raising £1,500 for the victims of the flash flood in Nepal.
Rock Choir perform annually at Inchmarlo retirement village and Inchmarlo House Care home. The concert was arranged as staff who work at Inchmarlo have family and friends who have been affected by the flash flood in Nepal in August. Tragically, more than 1,000 people have died, and thousands are still missing.
Rock Choir, the award-winning and pioneering contemporary choir experience in the UK, is well-known for its fundraising efforts to support both local and national charities. Supporting organisations and charities in each local community in which Rock Choir is located is a key part of its culture and ethos.
Rock Choir Leader Rachael Watson commented:
We perform at the retirement village as part of their summer concert programme, usually raising money for the Forget-Me-Not Club in Banchory, which supports people living with dementia and gives their families some much-needed respite.
We first became involved through Phil Allen, who lives at Inchmarlo and helps to arrange the summer concerts. He approached me after we performed at the Forget-Me-Not Club a good few years ago. His wife, Jean, attended the club.
Rachel added:
During the concert, Nepalese staff members took a moment to speak about their families and friends and to thank everyone for their support. We also lit a candle and had a moment of reflection, which was really lovely.
Phil Allen said:
The concert attracted a large audience, with the music, the moment of reflection and the words of our Nepalese guests making a strong impression. The bucket donations reached an astonishing £1,227.20, nearly twice the amount collected at any previous concert.
Inchmarlo management was impressed and topped this sum up to £1,500 before sending it to the Embassy of Nepal in London, to be passed on to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Emergency Appeal.
Rock Choir has 36 locations across Scotland, including new locations in Alness, Golspie and Inverness, and is inviting new members to join. There is no need to audition or read music, and everyone is welcome. Those interested can apply on Rock Choir's official website.