Diamond Divas choir raises £70,000 for Macmillan Unit at Christchurch Hospital

A HIGHCLIFFE choir has raised a total of £70,000 for the Macmillan Unit at Christchurch Hospital.

The Diamond Divas, made up of 22 women, have been performing for 12 years to support the charity. A recent £3,000 donation helped them reach the £70,000 milestone.

Every performance has been in honour of the unit, including appearances at the charity’s Big Birthday Bash at Tuckton Tea Gardens last summer and at its carol concert, held in the hospice chapel at Christmas.

Choir coordinator Josie Spicer shared her delight in reaching the milestone: “The Divas simply love to perform, and singing to help the work of the hospice is something which makes every one of us extremely proud.

“Last year we were named as one of Macmillan Caring Locally’s Golden Partners to celebrate its 50th anniversary, and this honour has only strengthened our zeal to aim even higher in 2025.

“We enjoy performing light-hearted music, usually adding a comic poem, and our audiences enjoy lots of fun and laughter – as well as some lovely sing-along opportunities.

“Our excellent and very hard-working pianist Terry tries to keep us in order and in tune and is also a born entertainer in his own right.”

Josie added: “We will sing for any club or organisation in return for a donation to Macmillan Caring Locally and would love to hear from new potential audiences.”

Neal Williams, trust secretary of Macmillan Caring Locally, said: “The Diamond Divas’ voices, like their support for our charity, never wavers.

“We feel simply blessed to have them on our team and would urge any groups who haven’t been entertained by the Divas to book them without delay in 2025. Their unique brand of sparkle will brighten even the dullest of days.”