Millions of viewers watched the Rhythm of Life Choir singing an emotional rendition of Oasis’ ‘Stop Crying Your Heart Out’ in Cold Feet ~ one of the UK’s most loved TV programmes. Viewers followed Jenny’s storyline of being treated for breast cancer and joining the hospital’s choir, which was all filmed at the iconic venue, Salford Lads Club.
The Rhythm of Life Choir (The Christie Hospital and The Maggie Centre Choir) is the brainchild of Macmillan Cancer Nurse Specialist, Ros Fox. Ros – who works at world-renowned cancer treatment facility, The Christie Hospital – wanted to organise singing sessions to improve the patients’ mental health and well-being and also to create a feeling of togetherness. Ros enlisted the help of eminent Manchester-based composer and musical director, Carol Donaldson to lead the choir. However, the future of this cherished choir is now uncertain, following the announcement that its funding has been stopped, as Ros explains:
“Singing in a group is a really good way of creating togetherness and the feeling of being part of something and of feeling that one belongs. It is all the more important when you are going through the frightening and often isolating experience of cancer and – in particular – with covid-19, as so many of our choir community are having to shield.
“Since lockdown the choir can’t meet together anymore, but we continue to sing and support each other online. Carol has worked hard to enable us to join her in song and in harmony every Monday night to uplift everyone’s spirits. We recently lost a very loved choir member, who will be hugely missed. Last week we sang her favourite song on zoom which gave everyone some comfort.”
“The importance of the choir continuing during these uncertain times is vital. Without our funding to keep it going, we will have to rise to the challenge and self-fund.”
Last year the choir held a special event at Salford Lads Club, where the Cold Feet scenes were filmed, with guest singer, Rowetta from Happy Mondays. Rowetta has been so supportive of the choir and kindly agreed to join the choir via Zoom last week to sing with them all again. After the news regarding the funding, it was a real boost that the choir needed. Rowetta commented:
“What a beautiful evening it was! So good to sing with the choir again. I’m so thankful to Carol and Ros for making it happen and I can’t wait to perform with the choir again. It makes me very sad to think that they have lost funding – I hope there is something that can be done to save the choir. “
If anyone is interested in supporting the choir, or joining them, please contact Rhythm of Life founder, Ros Fox: 07946 377 586
The Christie Blog: http://thechristienhs.
The Rhythm of Life Choir on Facebook: https://www.
