Suffolk carolling bands raise £7,500 in aid of cancer charity

Mark Murphy (third from left) supported the bands during carolling sessions

Three bands joined forces in December to play carols across Ipswich, while raising money for Cancer Campaign in Suffolk (CCiS).

Members of the Ipswich Hospital Band, St Peter's Band and Saints Community Band raised more than £7,500.

Of the donations, £3,840 will go to the charity and the rest will go to the bands.

CCiS chief executive Mark Murphy MBE said: "That is an amazing figure. I'm bowled over."

The bands played in supermarkets and along the high street in Ipswich

In the run-up to Christmas, the band played more than 40 carol sessions in the town, raising £7,535.11.

"The bands were incredible, playing out in all weathers. The generosity of Suffolk people was incredible. People were putting in notes and not just pennies," said Mr Murphy.

CCiS was founded 25-years ago by Dr John Lavery, a former oncologist at Ipswich Hospital.

The charity built the cancer information centre at the hospital, which offers complementary therapies and counselling sessions.

"To have that sort of money donated at a busy time of the year when money's tight, in a cost of living crisis, is absolutely tremendous and it will help us to support many, many more people with cancer in Suffolk during the next 12 months," added Mr Murphy.

The bands formed three carol groups on Christmas Day to play around the wards at Ipswich Hospital

Maggie Porter, Ipswich Hospital Band's vice chair, said it was the second-largest amount raised since her records began in 2011.

Over the last 12 years, the band's carolling efforts have raised about £80,000 for various charities.

The final carols of the year were played at Ipswich Hospital on Christmas Day.

"It's a really worthwhile thing to do - you feel that you really have made a difference," said Ms Porter.

She hoped some of the money would fund new staging in the band's rehearsal space at St Peter's Church and Mr Murphy encouraged people to attend invitations to cancer screenings.

"Over 25% of people in Suffolk who get an invitation to go to screening don't go. So it's our job to get out there and say to people 'it might be a tad uncomfortable but it could save your life'," said Mr Murphy.