Who Are We?
In the late 1980’s a palliative care unit on the edge of London held a concert to raise vital funds and public awareness. By October 2005, that one event had become well over 500 simultaneous concerts, for over 400 local hospices, in more than 60 countries.
Voices for Hospices is facilitated by Help the Hospices, takes place once every two years – and in those years is the official fundraising event for World Hospice and Palliative Care Day!
The statistics tell the story. £5.5 million raised, 1,000,000 people performing or watching them, plus radio and TV audiences and innumerable press, radio and television news mentions. A tremendous achievement and one that would not have come about without the hard work and dedication of countless volunteers.
That first concert was a ‘Come and Sing’ performance of Haydn’s Creation but now there are as many types of concerts as countries taking part. Sacred music still has its place but has been joined by folk songs, selections from operas, operettas and musicals, pop songs, jazz, specially composed pieces, poetry and plays, talent contests and karaoke – the list is endless!
1991 saw just one concert outside the UK - in Malta. In 2005, over 500 concerts in 60 countries had joined in. In many participating countries, there are few hospices and palliative care units and funding may be uncertain. The Voices for Hospices project lessens their isolation and draws attention to their work and needs – which is, they tell us, vital!
'Music has the capacity to breathe harmony into the soul The Hospice Movement brings harmony to those in pain and distress.
Through 'Voices for Hospices' you can contribute to that most worthwhile of tasks. Please give your support and help bring greater harmony to a troubled world.'
Terry Waite
President Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod
