WHEN she saw the TV news of the earthquakes, death and destruction in Nepal on Everest and in Kathmandu, Margaret Allen, the secretary of Basingstoke Ladies' Choir (BLC), decided she must do something to help. 

Margaret is involved with the Nepalese community in Basingstoke and she thought about what could be done to help the friends and families of her Nepalese friends.

One idea was a fundraising charity concert. Margaret Brackenborough is musical director for both BLC and the Odiham-based Hart Male Voice Choir and she has contact with David ‘Dai’ Ogborn, the musical director of Basingstoke Hospital Male Voice Choir (BHMVC).

So the idea for a joint concert at short notice was born - and choristers in all three choirs responded with full support for the event.

All three choirs have enjoyed singing together on previous occasions so this Nepal earthquake appeal concert seemed an appropriate event for a very good cause.

The three choir concert with BLC, BHMVC and Hart MVC was performed recently at All Saints Church, Basingstoke.  

The lively programme of songs included a joint performance of the rousing Highland Cathedral to which a Gurkha piper from the Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistics Regiment played an introduction.

The three choirs sang to a packed church and raised approximately £3,500 for the DEC earthquake relief fund.