HART Male Voice Choir used the Christmas period to the benefit of others as they presented a cheque for almost £1,500 to Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice last week.

Choir chairman Eamonn O’Rourke was delighted to present a cheque for £1,340 to Gemma Craig of Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, with the money raised by the choir at various events during the 2016 Christmas concert period.

Successful events included carols at Waitrose in Yateley, the British Legion Farnborough, and finally at the Farnham Maltings for the Hart MVC Christmas Festival.

The Christmas total bought the Hart Choir’s total figure raised for the hospice in 2016 to £4,400.

The money is a much-needed source of income for Phyllis Tuckwell which supports over 250 patients, relatives and carers in their own homes, in the community, at numerous hospices in the area through a mix of medical and nursing care, therapies, counselling, social work advice and practical support.

NHS/Government money only covers 20 per cent of its costs, which means it has to raise over £20,000 a day to be able to offer all services, free of charge, to patients and their families.

It means the Phyllis Tuckwell relies heavily on the support and generosity of the community and donations from fundraising organisations such as Hart Male Voice Choir, who were thanked by Gemma Craig for the continued support of the choir over many years of fundraising activities.