Star-studded concert raises funds for L&D

The fantastic amount was presented to lead nurse at the unit, Jan Chalkley, by charity chorists Rock Chorus on Wednesday December 28.

Mungo Jerry, Alvin Stardust and Tight Fit were among the charitable celebrity chums of organiser Charles Foskett to perform at the sold-out Sing It Back event at Dunstable conference centre in October to raise the money.

Organiser and record producer Charles - who has worked with big names such as Paul McCartney and Elvis Costello - is eternally grateful for the efforts of staff at the hospital after being diagnosed with cancer just before Christmas in 2010.

He said: “I called the event ‘Sing It Back’ because we wanted to give something back.

“Without them I wouldn’t be here. They saved my life.”

Charles began organising the event almost immediately after receiving his all-clear results, and six months later his project came to fruition.

He said: “We thought that if we were going to do it, we might as well make a good job of it.

“It was absolutely terrific fun and I’d like to tour the show all over the place.”

Rock Chorus is made up of dedicated volunteers, aged between 14 and 87, something Charles is proud of.

He said: “We have people from all walks of life, all shapes and sizes, all denominations.

“It is as much a big friendly network as it is anything else.

“It’s lovely watching new members gain confidence in singing as much as gaining confidence in themselves

Rock Chorus was founded by Charles’ wife, singer-songwriter Lauren Field, in September 2009, and always welcomes new members.

A DVD of the Sing It Back concert can also be purchased from the group’s website, www.rock-chorus.com