The ‘excellent work’ of the Devon Freewheelers has been recognised by choir members in Somerset who have chosen to support the blood bikes charity during 2022.
The Taunton Good Afternoon Choir members voted that their fundraising concerts and events would this year aid the Devon Freewheelers blood bikes, plus the Refugee Aid from Taunton (RAFT).
Grenville Jones, Good Afternoon Choirs founder, said: “The Taunton Good Afternoon Choir held a vote and selected to support the excellent work of the Freewheelers Blood Bikes throughout 2022.”
Russell Roe, Devon Freewheelers CEO, said: “The Devon Freewheelers volunteers regularly help the community in Somerset, transporting, for free, essential supplies for the NHS, and breast milk to hospital neonatal units.
“Although the charity is based in Devon, our volunteers offer the free courier service across the whole of the South West, and we are so grateful to receive donations that support this.
“We would to thank the members of the The Taunton Good Afternoon Choir for their support and generosity, raising funds to keep the free service on the road and highlighting the work of the Devon Freewheelers.
The Good Afternoon Choirs were launched by Bath-based musician Grenville Jones.
The choirs, based on afternoon singing, are taking off across the West of England.
Grenville’s reputation as choir leader extends across the UK and it was back in 2008 that his City of Bath Male Choir reached a world-wide audience through the BBC’s popular Saturday night series Last Choir Standing.
Grenville said: “Together with friends who were also choir leaders we recognised the issues that came - especially with older singers in the winter - with problems of attending rehearsals on cold dark evenings.
“An obvious solution to me seemed to be singing in the afternoon and I started the Bath Good Afternoon Choir in my home city nine years ago.”
He added: “The project then took off and there are now 19 Good Afternoon Choirs across the West of England with plans to start more this year.”
The Devon Freewheelers won the support of the The Taunton Good Afternoon Choir when members cast a vote to choose charities to back throughout the year.
“The members of the choirs choose the local organisation they wish to support with their concerts and fundraising and this year we will raise many thousands of pounds for deserving local causes,” said Grenville.
The Taunton Good Afternoon Choir held a vote and selected to support the excellent work of the Freewheelers Blood Bikes throughout 2022, said Grenville.
Grenville said: “As the number of choirs have grown, they have raised many thousands of pounds for local charities.”
There are no auditions required to join your local Good Afternoon Choir and the leaders are always keen to point out that the emphasis is on fun, friendship and singing together.
Across the 19 choirs there are more than 900 singers. Fund-raising concerts and singing tours are being planned for this year (2022).
The Taunton Good Afternoon Choir meets every Tuesday at Temple Methodist Church, 2pm-4pm.
For more details call the office on 01761 472468 between 9.30 and 2.30 pm, Monday – Thursday, or see here.
- Photo: The Taunton Good Afternoon Choir members voted that their fundraising concerts and events would this year aid the Devon Freewheelers blood bikes and Refugee Aid from Taunton (RAFT). Image: The Taunton Good Afternoon Choir.
