A group of local Rock Choirs has raised over £9,000 for charity after performing at community events across Stoke-on-Trent and north Staffordshire.

Over the last 18 months Rock Choir, has raised a total of £9,354 for Douglas Macmillan (Dougie Mac) after performing at venues including Trentham Gardens, All Saints Church in Leek and a concert at the Madeley Centre.

Rock Choir leader, Beverley Mason, explained, "We have more than 360 members over six different local rock choirs. When we were considering a charity to support, we asked our members to put forward their suggestions and Dougie Mac was the overwhelming favourite.

"Many of our members have personal connections to Dougie Mac, it's a charity that's very present in people's minds."

Beverley added: "Our members are very generous too and we recently organised a raffle for them to win a beautiful hamper, which was very kindly donated by Kevin Lownds Funeral Services in Madeley. The raffle raised more than £780, which was just fantastic."

Rock Choir - which has over 400 local choirs across the UK and Ireland - is open to anyone over the age of 14 and no singing experience is needed.

Beverley added, "We sing songs that people know – songs you might sing along to on the radio or in your car – but we sing Rock Choir's specially arranged versions, often in 4-part harmony.

"Many of our members haven't sang a note since school and when they come for the first time they're very nervous, but by the end of the first session they love it and can't wait to come back.

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"It's a great way to have fun, meet new people and raise money for charity at the same time."

To find out more about the Rock Choir and how to find your local choir, visit www.rockchoir.com