Regional choirs come together for Great Western Choir event

Three choirs from across the south west are coming together to raise funds for Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

David Fisher, a member of the award-winning male a cappella choir, Great Western Chorus, has organised the event to give something back to the hospital that saved his life.

On 23 June 2018, David was leaving the hospital when he suffered another cardiac arrest in the car park. Staff immediately came to his rescue, carrying out life-saving resuscitation on the floor before moving him to a ward where he spent two weeks recovering.

Now, 18 months later, David has made a full recovery and has brought together three choirs, who all share similar Great Western themed names, for a charity night of music at the Deanery Church of England School in Wichlestowe.

Ten times UK Chorus Champions, Great Western Chorus, will be joined by the Great Western Academy singers, made up of singers from a local school in Swindon.

The Trust’s own internal choir, Great Western Choir, will also be singing at the event. Great Western Choir is made up of staff from across the Trust, as well as those who have retired from the organisation. 

“All the medical staff described me as being very lucky,” said David. “To me and my wife, the luck was being at a great hospital with great caring and kind staff.

“There really was nothing for me to do other than place myself in the hands of all of those involved in my recovery.

“During my stay in hospital, and after, I wondered how I could thank everyone. So many had been involved a simple thank you letter would not reach everyone.

“With encouragement from my wife, I organised a meeting to discuss the possibility of a joint concert to raise funds for the hospital charity. From this it has gone on to involve three Great Western choruses that have come together to support the Great Western Hospital.

“We have 400 seats to sell at this concert and I would like to see them all sold. At £10 a seat the audience will be promised a magical performance with long lasting memories.

“The hospital deserves its name as Great, having supported and cared for both me and my wife. We want to simply do what we can provide in the way of support and to give everyone a great big thank you and I am so delighted my great chorus has wrapped itself around us to raise funds for a great cause.”

Penny Keen organises the Trust’s own hospital choir.

“It will be lovely to bring our Hospital Choir to a wider audience and also to join in with other choirs, whilst raising money for an excellent cause close to the choir’s heart,” she commented.

“We are very lucky to be joined by Great Western Chorus, as their reputation precedes them, and Great Western Academy Singers, as they are the choir of the future.

“It will be a wonderful event for all to enjoy at an outstanding venue, and at the same time raising funds for such a deserving cause.”

The concert is taking place on February 28 at the Deanery CE School in Wichelstowe, 7:00pm – 10:00pm). Tickets can be purchased from: https://brighter_futures.charitycheckout.co.uk/charitychoirconcert#!/