TWO choirs have helped raise more than £1,000 for the Southend Hospital Keyhole Cancer appeal at their spring concert.

Southend Vox held their spring concert at Crowstone St George’s URC Church, in Westcliff, along with their guests the Essex Police Choir.

Southend West MP Sir David Ames and Southend mayor Chris Walker were among the audience who were treated to a medley of music.

Southend Vox began in January 2009, formed by musical director Emma Turnbull, who has been involved with local choirs such as Southend Girls Choir and The Saturday Singers, since her school days.

The choir performs regularly in the town, raising money for local charities.

The appeal holds particular resonance with Emma, 36, from Chelmsford, who spent 42 days on Hockley Ward at Southend Hospital in 2011 after several surgeries that year and both she and the choir are very grateful for the care provided.

Emma, who grew up in Southend, said: “We are a community choir and that’s about making music accessible to anyone who wants to sing or come and watch. Also we are a huge choir that is part of the community and the hospital is central to all who live in Southend.”

Southend Vox is a not-for-profit adult choir open to anyone who loves to sing.

The choir currently has 40 members ranging in age from 18 to 70.

New members are welcome to attend after the Easter break on Wednesday, April 15.

The choir is particularly keen to boost its male membership.

Spokeswoman for the cancer appeal, Emer McNeela said: “The generous audience, by buying tickets for the concert, a raffle and a retiring collection, helped to raise more than £1,000 for the Southend Hospital Keyhole Cancer Appeal.

“This appeal hopes to raise £600,000 for a new state-of-the-art laparoscopic theatre at the hospital.

Hundreds of Southend patients are likely to benefit each year and it will enable surgeons perform complex keyhole procedures for those undergoing cancer and general surgeries. It will also cut the need for open surgery and speed recovery time which will make a huge difference to patients.”

For more information about the choir, visit southendvox.com or for more information on the keyhole cancer appeal, call 01702 385337 or email