Students strike a high note for Lancaster hospice
The dedicated musical endeavours of a group of music students have now raised more than £50,000 for their local hospice.
A group of talented and enthusiastic students from across the area have surpassed an overall fundraising milestone of £50,000 by raising a total of £51,177.
The students practise their music throughout the year with careful and dedicated support from piano teacher Yvette French.
For the past 15 years various students have devoted countless hours to honing their musical skills to perform their annual festive community event to raise funds for St John’s Hospice.
The concert brings together people of all ages, whether new to music or not, each play their favourite music piece to a packed audience.
The funds are raised by enterprising students who have a friendly competition to see who can raise sponsorship monies.
Tickets sales, cake and treats stalls all help as do local and regional businesses such as Lakeland, who help sponsor this favourite annual event by providing prizes for the popular raffles.
Concert organiser Yvette French said: “These concerts started 13 years ago when my aim to raise £1,000 felt huge!
"We’ve continued to support St John’s Hospice every year as we knew just how many thousands of lives they touch. Then a few years ago having raised £40,000 in total, I thought, ‘Why stop there?’ and set a new and ambitious target of £50,000.
“Every year I’m moved by the hard work of the students who practice so hard to perform at the annual concert. It can be daunting playing the piano in front of families, friends and new faces. And every year my heart swells with pride when I see them play!”
Lisa Parker, community fundraising manager at St John’s Hospice, said: “Yvette is an absolute trouper, her commitment to her students, her community and St John’s Hospice is incredible. It’s lovely supporting Yvette with these events and I’m in awe of her commitment.
"Yvette’s relationship with St John’s started years ago when she pushed her mum in a wheelchair the full route of the Moonlight Walk. For Yvette to hit and surpass her £50,000 target the year on the 40th anniversary of St John’s and the Ruby Moonlight Walk is very special.”