Press release – 2 April
A well-known community choir from Cornwall has raised £1,000 to help support people across the world who have been left without shelter because of conflict or disaster.
The Ingleheart Singers sang their hearts out at fundraising events during 2023 to raise funds for the international disaster relief charity, ShelterBox. The choir has been a long-time supporter of the charity, which provides emergency shelter and essential items to people around the world who have been uprooted from their homes.
The generous donation comes after the vibrant and contemporary a cappella choir announced its ongoing commitment to fundraising for ShelterBox.
Musical director Claire Ingleheart says: “We always choose a local and an international charity to support each year, but we’ve decided that ShelterBox will be our permanent choice for our global charity.
“After searching for others, we just kept coming back to ShelterBox. The work it does around the world is incredible. It ticks all the boxes and, like us, has its roots in Cornwall.”
Since it was founded in 2000, the Cornwall based charity has supported over 2.5 million people in around 100 countries. It’s work around the world is funded by public donations.
Claire adds: “As a choir we attended lots of events throughout the year to fundraise for ShelterBox. In 2023, we sang on boat trips and at several pubs around the county. We even held a concert at the Eco Park, and sang at Truro Cathedral twice, once being at ShelterBox’s inaugural carol concert, which we were so excited to be part of.
“That one was a night we won’t forget, with the drama of the fire alarm and evacuation, and then the solidarity of everyone singing together under the stars.
“It gives us great honour to be able to present ShelterBox with the funds we have raised, and to help support people with shelter and items that will really make a different in those dire situations.”
The charity is currently responding in Gaza to support some of the 1.9 million people who have been affected by conflict in the region. ShelterBox has launched an urgent appeal for the response in which it will be working with local partners and Rotary to support thousands of people with tents and essential items like sleeping mats, blankets, and water carriers.
Louisa Arnold, community fundraising officer at ShelterBox, says: “We can’t thank Claire and the Ingleheart Singers enough for all the support they have given us over the years, and for their commitment to support ShelterBox going forward. It was so special to have their support and voices at our first carol concert, alongside Fern Britton.
“We have fantastic supporters in Cornwall, and further afield, who put their time and effort into fundraising and raising awareness of the issues people are facing in other countries. The money raised by the singers will help us support more people across the world who are living in very challenging situations.”
The Ingleheart Singers came together in 2006 with four singers and now have over 50 regular members. As a non-audition choir, everyone is free to join.
For more fundraising stories, or information about ShelterBox, people can visit: shelterbox.org
ENDS
For more information contact the press office at ShelterBox via [email protected].
Notes to Editors
- Interviews available with Claire Ingleheart and Louisa Arnold at ShelterBox.
- Images and captions included. Image of Gaza must be credited to Mohammed Zaanoun.
