A MALVERN choir has donated more than £1,000 to the town’s foodbank as it faces unprecedented demand for its services.

Malvern Festival Chorus donated £1,200 to Malvern Hills Foodbank after fundraising events before and after Christmas.

The choir took part in carol singing at the Great Malvern Farmers’ Market in December then returned to Great Malvern Priory for the first time in three years for its traditional post-Christmas ‘Carols for All’ event.

Peter Buchanan, chairman of Malvern Hills Foodbank, said: “We are all delighted that Malvern Festival Chorus has chosen to support our foodbank.

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“To have collected well over £1,000 is fantastic. Thank you to all involved either as part of the choir or by donating.

“As we are all volunteers, we can keep overheads to a minimum and ensure that the money is used to help those in greatest need.

Foodbank expects to help more people than ever

“In 2013 we helped just over 1,000 people in the Malvern area. In 2022 the corresponding figure was just over 5,200. Sadly, with the recent rise in the cost of living, we expect this figure to rise again in 2023.

“We are only able to continue to help the poorest in our community because the generosity of others has kept pace with the increase in demand.”

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Malvern Festival Chorus chairman Dr Kevin Ilsley said: “It was wonderful to be back in Great Malvern Priory for our traditional charitable event and to be joined by so many people participating enthusiastically in all the congregational carols.

“We are so grateful for their generosity, which enabled us to make this donation to Malvern Hills Foodbank.”

The choir is now busy rehearsing for its next concert, Songs of Britain, in Great Malvern Priory on Saturday, May 20.

A celebration of our island nation, the concert will feature works by renowned British composers. Visit the choir’s website www.malvernfestivalchorus.co.uk for further details.