Belfast Community Gospel Choir Concert in Memory of Lorna Telford

The Belfast Community Gospel Choir is coming to Downpatrick next month for a fundraising concert in aid of Cancer Focus NI.

The event is being organised by sisters Emma and Evie Telford in memory of their mum Lorna who sadly passed away after a long battle with lung cancer in 2014, despite being a non-smoker.

Lorna,  who was a former assistant director with the South Eastern Trust — was held in high regard by her peers, particularly in the field of safe and effective care, with next month’s concert taking place close to the third anniversary of her passing.

The September 16 concert in Downpatrick Cricket Club by the renowned Community Gospel Choir — under its incomparable director Marie Lacey — starts at 7.30pm and will also feature a raffle for a selection of not-to-be-missed prizes during the interval and an auction of a number of highly sought after sports memorabilia.

The multi-cultural gospel choir is looking forward to performing at the local venue to raise funds for Cancer Focus NI which provided great help, support, compassion and understanding to Emma and Evie during their mum’s illness and after her death. 

Emma in particular is looking forward to the concert as she is a member of the Gospel Choir, renowned for its dynamic performances, charged with joy, passion and energy.

Along with her sister Evie, the pair have organised a number of events in aid of Cancer Focus NI, raising several thousand pounds for the organisation as their way of giving something back to the charity which provided key support at a particularly challenging time in their lives. 

Next month’s concert is being supported by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Roisin Mulgrew, who was delighted to meet the Downpatrick sisters last week to learn more about their mum and endorse next month’s fundraiser.

“Emma and Evie are clearly a credit to their mum and the fact they have already raised thousands of pounds for their chosen charity is tremendous,” said the chairperson. “They are committed to raising funds for Cancer Focus so it can continue the vital work it does across the community, helping families with a loved one who is suffering from the disease or who has sadly passed away.”

Councillor Mulgrew said she was touched by Emma and Evie’s love for their mum and determination to keep her memory alive in the best way possible by raising money to help others.

“Lorna was a senior health official whose focus was on improving patient care and driving up standards and I have no doubt she would be very proud of her daughters. Through them, her legacy of helping others clearly lives on.”

Councillor Mulgrew added, “Emma and Evie have put a lot of work into organising the concert and I have had a sneak peek at some of the raffle prizes and the sporting items that will be auctioned and they are fantastic.

“I hope many people will support next month’s concert to raise money for a charity which does a fantastic job with families facing the most challenging of circumstances. The concert is a great night out and will help what is a really great cause.”

Emma and Evie added: “We are delighted to organise the concert in memory of mum whom we miss so much. She put patients at the centre of everything she did and we are pleased to keep her memory alive. Mum may not be here anymore but lives on in our hearts and those whose lives she touched through her working life and her many close friends.

“We hope people will support the concert which will not only be a great night out, but a chance to win some fantastic raffle prizes and bid for some great sports items that we have been fortunate to secure.”

Concert tickets are £10 and are available at Down Recorder reception or from David Telford (07779054029) and Emma Telford (07528019967).

They can also be purchased online via the Cancer Focus website or contact charity representative Barbara Long, tel: 028 9066 3281 or email barbaralong@cancerfocusni.org