Singers Spread the Festive Feeling

Dec. 12, 2012 - PRLog -- Members of the Caring For Life choir have used music as part of their therapy at Caring For Life, a Cookridge-based charity which helps homeless and vulnerable adults to rebuild their lives.

Now, they are taking their talents to Sainsbury’s at Moor Allerton, where they will be performing this Friday, December 14, between 11am and 2pm.

Pam Parkinson from Caring For Life said: “It’s a wonderful chance for the singers to show how far they have come since they began singing together.

“It is also an important fundraising event for us and will help us to ensure we can keep supporting as many vulnerable adults as possible. It’s great for the choir to know they are contributing so significantly to Caring For Life, too.”

Sainsbury’s Moor Allerton store manager Phil Thompson said: “We are very keen to support the important work being done at Caring For Life.

“They are our Charity of the Year and inviting the choir to perform is the latest in a series of events we have held for them this year.

“I’m sure our customers will enjoy the festive music and appreciate the hard work that has gone into rehearsing. I hope they will give generously to this very worthy cause.”

As part of their preparations for singing at Sainsbury’s, choir members performed at Caring For Life’s Christmas fair, marking the start of the festive season at its Crag House Farm home.

But the star attraction at the fair – for the younger visitors at least – was Santa’s grotto, complete with a very special assistant.

Seven-year-old Harry Day had been chosen to be Santa’s little helper for the day in recognition of his fundraising for Caring For Life, which saw him donate more than £600 after holding a coffee morning.

He said: “We had to do an extra hour because there were so many children and we couldn't let any of them down. Poor Father Christmas didn't get any lunch either because he was so busy!

“Mrs Christmas and I had to help some of the children to smile because they weren't sure about wanting to see Father Christmas. Being an elf is very hard work!”

Harry also regularly donates some of his pocket money to the charity after being so impressed by its work when he visited with his family.

Pam Parkinson said: “We’re very grateful to Harry for his help, not just at the Christmas fair but with his coffee morning and donating his pocket money.

“Support like that is vital to our work and makes all the difference to the people who rely on us.”

Caring For Life offers support to adults – often with physical or mental challenges – who have slipped under the radar of social services or the education system. Physical or mental abuse early in life can often lead them to addiction problems or petty criminality.

The charity aims to offer an alternative path, including training for employment in catering and workshops in areas as diverse as agriculture, horticulture, conservation, crafts and office skills. Music, along with drama and art, is a key part of Caring For Life’s work.