Sisters to host concert for Cancer Focus in memory of late mum

Sisters to host concert for Cancer Focus in memory of late mum

31 July 2019

DOWNPATRICK sisters Emma and Evie Telford are continuing their preparations for a fundraising concert in memory of their mum, Lorna.

The Quoile Bar and Bistro at the town’s Strangford Road is the venue for the September 28 concert — whIch is being sponsored by Phoenix Natural Gas –  featuring the fabulous Belfast Community Gospel Choir.

Emma and Evie are raising money for Cancer Focus NI with the forthcoming concert taking place just days after the fifth anniversary of their mum’s passing following a long battle with lung cancer, despite being a non-smoker.

Lorna was a former assistant director with the South Eastern Trust and the September fundraising concert is the second that her daughters have organised in their mum’s memory. The first in 2016 raised over £8,000.

Members of the multi-cultural gospel choir are looking forward to performing again in Downpatrick to help raise funds for a charity which helped 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 Belfast choir, renowned for its dynamic performances, charged with joy, passion and energy.

Emma and Evie have organised several events in aid of Cancer Focus NI, raising thousands pounds for the organisation as their way of giving something back to the charity which provided key support to them at a particularly challenging time in their lives. 

The sisters are planning to hold a raffle on the night of the September concert with all proceeds going directly to a charity which has worked with many families across the district.

Emma and Evie want to help the charity which provides vital support to children who have a parent suffering from cancer and those who have lost a mum or dad to the disease.

“Evie and I are delighted to organise another concert in memory of our mum whom we miss very much,” said Emma. “Mum put patients at the centre of everything she did in her role with the South Eastern Trust and we are pleased to keep her memory alive by fundraising for Cancer Focus which supports children who have experienced a loss similar to us.”

Emma added: “Cancer Focus provides a wide range of services for cancer patients and their families. Evie and I are keen to give something back for the help and support we have received from the charity. 

“We have seen at first hand the magnificent work it does for others and it is an organisation we are proud to be associated with. We know that our mum would be delighted that we are continuing to support the charity as it helped her during her illness. The concert will be an event not to be missed and we hope people will support it to help us continue keeping mum’s memory alive.”

Evie said that while her mum is no longer with her and Emma, the sisters get so much from raising money to help other families who rely on the Cancer Focus Family Support Service.

“Mum made a positive impact during her working life and keeping her memory alive is important to our family,” she said.

“It is what she would have wanted us to do and mum will always be with us. Having lived through the loss of a parent we are acutely aware of the terrific work that Cancer Focus does helping other children and young people who may have lost a mum or dad to cancer.”

The September 28 concert starts at 7.30pm, with tickets priced £12.50 available at Down Recorder reception or from David (07779 054029) or Emma Telford (07528 019667). A limited number of children’s tickets priced £8 are also available.

Tickets and can also be purchased on line via the Cancer Focus website or contact charity representative Barbara Long, telephone (028) 9066 3281, email barbaralong@cancerfocusni.org.