A community choir supporting families affected by cancer is looking for new members as it returns from the festive break.
The DCCF Choir, based in Poole, was founded in 2024 to raise funds for the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation, which provides financial grants to cancer patients struggling with everyday costs such as household bills and hospital transport.
The 24-strong choir, whose members range in age from 25 to 80, has already raised more than £5,000 for the charity through weekly subscriptions and community performances.
Among its members are Julie Barbary and her daughter Sophie Hinks from Poole, who were both supported by the foundation during Sophie’s cancer treatment.
Julie said: “Sophie underwent a liver transplant when she was younger and was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer just a few months later. It was a terrible time, and she spent months in hospital in London. I couldn’t work and was terrified I would lose my house. But the DCCF gave me money to help pay my mortgage and I’ll never forget that.”
She added: “Singing in the DCCF choir is something Sophie and I love – for the joy of it, for the camaraderie, and also the satisfaction of knowing we are supporting other Dorset families fighting cancer.”
The choir was established by Maria Primmer, Tina Mereweather, Tina Edwards and Jane Legg, with Lisa Moore joining the committee since its launch.
Maria said: “We get together to sing and support the charity, but we also give each other happiness by singing together. Singing is proven to be good for lifting your mood. We all have tough days or even weeks but coming to choir gives us positive energy which makes us feel so much better.”
She stressed that previous singing experience is not required, saying: “Some of our members have sung before and others just like singing in the shower – but we find a harmony that works for each voice.”
Committee member Tina said: “We are all just normal people with normal lives, but together we sing at local events, enjoy ourselves, and in doing so help families across Dorset who are facing some of their darkest times because of a cancer diagnosis.”
The choir meets every Wednesday from 7pm to 9pm at Discovery Court Business Centre on Wallisdown Road, resuming on 7 January. Sessions cost £5 on a pay-as-you-go basis, with a free taster session available for those interested in joining.
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