A RAYLEIGH choir that has raised more than £50,000 in the last year is holding a fundraising concert for Mind on Monday.

The concert will be held at Chelmsford Cathedral on Monday, November 29.
All profits from the charity will go the South-East and Central Essex (SECE) Mind.

The choir, that is called the Buskerteers, is an all-inclusive community choir that anyone can join whether they have musical experience or not.

It was set up in January 2020 by Andrew Small and is trying to raise £1million for charity.

Andrew Small, the leader of the choir, said: “The choir is on a mission to raise £1million for charity via busking.

“In March 2020, those dreams were shattered when the UK was put into the first national lockdown.

“However, that has only strengthened our resolve in fulfilling our mission and we’ve continued to busk online throughout the pandemic raising over £50,000 for charity. We were subsequently nominated for a Pride of Britain Award.”

In the last year, the Rayleigh choir has raised more than £50,000 for a number of good causes including the NHS, Comic Relief and the Poppy Appeal.

For this event the choir have chosen to raise money for UK registered charity SECE Mind, which helps support those in the south east and central Essex with their mental health and wellbeing needs.

Andrew added how important it is to look after your mental health and why they have chosen Mind.

“Now more than ever, we need to talk about our mental health. 

“According to Mind, 2 in 3 people said their mental health has worsened during the pandemic, so people need to know that they are not alone in how they feel and know that there is support available for them and they deserve that support.”

For more information visit the Buskerteers website and to donate visit the Just Giving link: www.justgiving.com/buskerteers.