A WHOPPING 85 past and present Southend Boys’ and Girls’ Choirs stars have combined to create a virtual recording in a bid to raise cash for the NHS Charities Together Fund.

Although the country remains in lockdown, the Southend Boys’ and Girls Choirs have continued with their usual weekly rehearsals and came together to sing the Brian Tate track We are One.

Echo:

On the big stage - at the BBC Proms

It is hoped the virtual recording will help to raise £1,000 for the NHS Charities Together Fund.

Directors Roger Humphrey and Rosemary Pennington worked tirelessly to make the fundraising hit possible.

Rosemary said: “Some former members now work for the NHS and we thought it would be a great way to raise funds.

“Doctors, pharmacists and midwives were involved and it took a month or so to get everything together.

“We sent the backing track to the choir members and also got in contact with former members.

“We’ve continued with weekly rehearsals over Zoom during lockdown and we asked everyone to record themselves singing the song, which was daunting for some of them.”

Those involved included ex-members who now live in Australia, the United States and the Netherlands, while the youngest contributor is just nine-years-old.

Dan and Emma Stephens were also heavily involved in the production of the virtual recording as they combined to edit the video and audio.

“The whole process took between 200 and 300 hours,” said Roger, who has worked with the Southend Girls’ Choir for 30 years.

“But it worked really well for the singers and it was a great way to bond people together.

“The power of music is amazing and times like this is when it can have a big impact.”

The Southend Boys’ and Girls’ Choirs are closing in on raising £500 for the NHS Charities Together Fund.

To donate, head to uk.virginmoneygiving.com/southendchoirs.