A classic boost for cancer support in Devon

The 2017 Classics Galore! concert - Exeter’s very own night at the proms - raised a record sum of £21,000 for FORCE Cancer Charity.

To celebrate, sponsors, performers, organisers and representatives from the charity gathered at the FORCE Support and Information Centre for the cheque presentation.

Classics Galore! has been staged at the University of Exeter Great Hall every two years since 2007.

Profits from the tenth anniversary of this hugely popular musical extravaganza take the total raised for FORCE to nearly £90,000.

Money from the latest concert has been ring-fenced for a fund that has enabled FORCE to spend £93,000 on a new surgical device to treat women’s cancers at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

FORCE Chief Executive Meriel Fishwick said: “Classics Galore features 200 musicians and singers from our community putting on a wonderful concert and raising money to support local people affected by cancer. Simply fundraising at its best!  We are extremely grateful to the Classics Galore! committee for creating another magical evening.”

The concert involves a full orchestra, the award-winning SW Comms Band from Lympstone and singers from Exeter’s St David’s Players and Ottery St Mary Choral Society performing a wide selection of popular classical tunes under musical director Malcolm Matthews.

Susan James, secretary of the organising committee, said: “Concert founders Dick and Posy Passmore have always hoped to reach their target of £100,000 through these concerts.  Because of the generosity and support from our sponsors and patrons we will hopefully reach that magic total after the next concert.  The committee are therefore highly motivated and looking forward to making sure the next concert will be at least as successful as the last one - or even better!”

A date for your diary – the next Classics Galore! concert will be on Saturday November 9, 2019.
 

CAPTIONS
• Sponsors, performers, organisers and representatives from the charity gathered at the FORCE Support and Information Centre for the cheque presentation.
• Annie Bassett (right) cuts a specially baked cake to mark her retirement as organising committee chairman with Classics Galore! co-founder Posy Passmore.
• Retiring Classics Galore! organising committee chairman Annie Bassett (left) with FORCE Chief Executive Meriel Fishwick.