Throughout May a number of Dorset community groups hosted a range of music events as part of the Diverse Abilities Sing to Raise initiative across the county.
Together, local choirs, musicians, bands, pubs, clubs and supermarkets raised £1,800 for the charity that supports children and adults with disabilities across the county. This was achieved through a range of events including open mic nights, busking, concerts and more.
Nicole Warrilow, community fundraiser at Diverse Abilities, said: “The Sing to Raise initiative aimed to engage lots of different groups within the community, and over the month we have met various new people and welcomed back lots of familiar faces too; all eager to get involved and support our charity.
“We aimed to reach the whole of Dorset, and we had events stretching from Boscombe to Dorchester. We were thrilled with everyone’s enthusiasm and engagement. The Oddfellows pub in Wimborne dedicated their regular open mic night to us, and Paul Thomas and Brian Harries organised a Stage in the Square as the campaign launch. Ian Kennedy of the band Night Train organised a “five-a-day” busking tour and performed live at local shopping centre, Castlepoint in Bournemouth, with ska band, Total Madness and Brewery Square hosted a day of live music.”
During the musical month of May the initiative saw seven soloists, eight bands, five choirs and one open mic night getting involved. The month ended with a finale in Wimborne Square showcasing local choirs including Gracie Parks, Citrus Singers, Just Sing adult choir, Sound of Soul choir and Wavelength A Cappella choir. This event was kindly sponsored by Wimborne BID and supported by Slick Events.
Nicole added: “All in all, it was a fantastic month and we were blown away by everyone’s efforts and thrilled by the amount raised, plus all the fantastic people we met along the way. Thank you all!”
If you’d like to get involved with Sing to Raise next year and would like to hold a musical fundraiser in aid of Diverse Abilities please contact Nicole.warrilow@diverseabilities.org.uk, call 01202 718266 or visit www.diverseabilities.org.uk/sing