Magnificent Men raise Mega Money for Parkinson's UK News

Romsey Male Voice Choir’s Romsey Festival Concert ‘Men & Magnificent Music’, hosted by Dame Esther Rantzen, raised a whopping £8667.41 for the Choir’s chosen charity Parkinson’s UK. With four guest male choirs Cowbridge, Hart, Rushmoor and Swindon, RMVC entertained a full Romsey Abbey to an evening of song, with choristers performing at their best in aid of a cause close to many of their hearts. RMVC singer, retired Totton GP Dr John Dracass, who was diagnosed with the condition in 2011, understands better than most just what the diagnosis means and how important the charity is to the one in 500 people living with Parkinson’s. For John, singing and performing with RMVC has made a positive difference to his condition, so he was doubly delighted to be part of raising funds for the charity through the Abbey Concert.

However, it was RMVC Chairman Geoff Skinner who summed up what the evening meant to the whole Choir. “This was our 5th Massed Choirs concert and for us it couldn’t have been better. All the choirs performed excellently and very much in a spirit of friendship and charity. To raise such a large sum is a tribute to RMVC’s organisers, to our generous sponsors, the singers themselves and most of all to the wonderfully appreciative audience and our lovely host, Dame Esther Rantzen. We know that Parkinson’s can’t yet be cured, but, the major research commissioned by the charity into improved treatments will be vital for so many people in the future. It’s for them, fellow RMVC chorister John, and others in the Choir affected by this disease, and if that’s not a good reason to get up on stage and sing our hearts out I don’t know what is!”