A Concert of 3 Choirs on Tuesday 18th June from 6.30 to 7.30pm at St Clare’s Church, Newton Aycliffe, £3 entry on the door. Refreshments are available afterwards in the Church Hall.
Shine Choir, Vocal Collective and Kids Collective are using their singing to raise money to help a little boy in the Philippines access life changing treatment. Richmond suffers from Juvenile Arthritis and if he lived in the UK would receive regular treatment on the NHS.
All three choirs will perform their own songs and will then also perform as a massed choir! Music will range from current pop songs to folk songs, old easy listening favourites right through to stunning classical choral pieces. There may even be chance for audience participation. A fun night for all music lovers!
The story behind organising this concert: Kate Dickinson from Hartlepool has the same condition and receives regular treatment, Tocilicumab. Kate is passionate in helping Richmond lead a better life by raising money to help him receive this treatment in the Philippines. All proceeds from this concert will go towards Richmond’s family and his treatment. There will be cakes and refreshments as well as raffles.
Kate writes: “Richmond is a 7 year old boy who lives in northern Philippines with his mother and father, and 3 siblings. They are a poor family living in a rural area with few employment opportunities for his parents. He developed Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis at the age of 2 and has battled to access his live-giving treatment ever since. This rare progressive disease damages joints and can also attack internal organs.
The drug Richmond needs is a monthly infusion called Actemra (Tocilizumab) which costs around £400, a shocking amount for such a vulnerable family. So far, kind regular donations from friends and family have meant that Richmond has been able to have an infusion every few months – but sporadic treatments have minimal clinical effect. We are trying to raise £1000 to enable his mother Corazon to start her own rice selling business – something that is straightforward and profitable in her town.
Corazon’s dream is to be able to support some of his medical fees herself and hopefully, together with the monthly donations, we can achieve this. Your support would mean the world to Richmond and his family!”
Thank you!
