A LOCAL male voice choir is putting on a special concert this weekend, compered by former BBC Spotlight presenter and regular Cornish Times columnist Justin Leigh, to raise emergency funds for children facing starvation in Afghanistan.

The concert was planned before the current events in Ukraine unfolded with the Russian invasion. So while many people’s thoughts are, understandably, turning to the terrible scenes in Eastern Europe, the Tamar Valley Male Voice Choir thought it was still very important to continue with its original plan to support the children in Afghanistan where there is also an ongoing humanitarian crisis following the seizing of power by the Taliban.

The Tamar Valley Male Voice Choir (TVMVC) — whose members come from both Cornwall and Devon, meeting to practise and rehearse every Tuesday in Callington Methodist Church Hall at 7.30pm— are hosting the special event which will be compèred by the Choir’s President, Justin Leigh, and it is also due to be attended by the MPs for Plymouth, Luke Pollard and Johnny Mercer.

“We saw the situation happening in Afghanistan on the news and wanted to do something to help,” said TVMVC Chairman, Charles Westlake, “and the members agreed we would put on a concert to try and raise funds to support the charities working with children and families in the country.”

He added: “According to the UK’s Disaster Emergency Committee, 95% of Afghan families don’t currently have enough money to buy food and it’s estimated up to 1 million children are at risk of dying from malnutrition this winter when temperatures can plunge to -12 degrees Celsius. On the News we hear of parents selling their body parts and even their daughters to get enough money to buy food for their families.”

The special fundraising concert will take place at Emmanuel Church, Mannamead, Plymouth, tomorrow (Saturday, March 19), starting at 7.30pm. The choir will be presenting a very varied programme and ‘Flanders and Swann’ will make a guest appearance.

Entry at the door is by donation – the suggested amount is £10 for adults, £5 for under 14s - and the choir hopes the audience will give what they can to support this important cause. As well as the evening of music, there will be refreshments for a donation and a raffle.

For more about the Tamar Valley Male Voice Choir see http://www.tamarvalleymvc.co.uk/