A local choir are once again showing there’s more to performing together than just singing. Members of Woolston Signing Choir learn British Sign Language through song lyrics and now they’re using their skills in a unique fundraising event.
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The choir is taking part in sign2sing, an event organised by the Deaf Health Charity SignHealth, to raise money to help vulnerable deaf children in the UK and Uganda.
The group includes children from five schools in the local area, aged between six and sixteen, who are also joined by parents and even grandparents. Schools involved are Woolston Community Primary School, Oakwood Primary, Birchwood High Academy Trust, University Academy Warrington and Green Lane Community Special School
The choir is led by Helen Andrews, who has Level 6 in British Sign Language. The choir was nominated for The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service and Helen attended a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace last May.
Helen said: “I am so proud of my choir. We reached 100 performances at the end of December. A great achievement in six years. This is the second time we’ve taken part in sign2sing. The choir really enjoy learning the song and signs. This year’s song Reach Out Your Hand is really catchy with a great message about being kind to others.
“sign2sing is a great introduction to British Sign Language as well as being a fantastic way of supporting a really important cause. We are raising funds for SignHealth by asking our families to sponsor us. We will perform the song to parents on Monday 1st February 2016 at the end of our rehearsal session”
Woolston Signing Choir is a friendly group that welcomes D/deaf and hearing members of all ages. For more information go to www.woolstonsigningchoir.co.uk or look at the choir’s Facebook page.
Schools, businesses, choirs and community groups across the UK are taking part in sign2sing between 1-7 February. There’s still time to register to take part, simply go towww.sign2sing.og.uk/register. You don’t need to be an expert signer or a brilliant singer. All the resources you need to learn the song and signs are provided by sign2sing, including backing tracks, the musical score and video tutorials.
The Deaf Health Charity SignHealth is a national charity that works to improve the health and wellbeing of Deaf people.
