POPULAR ladies’ choir The Diamond Divas presented a cheque for £6,000 to the Macmillan Unit at Christchurch Hospital at their annual coffee morning.

Crowds of people who attended the coffee morning, held on Thursday 22nd August at Braemar Drive Highcliffe, were blessed with beautiful weather, and enjoyed browsing the many stalls on offer including crafts, plants, jewellery, and homemade cakes.

The Divas sang a short selection from their current programme and then presented Neal Williams, the Trust Secretary from The Macmillan Unit at Christchurch Hospital, with a cheque for £6,000, the proceeds of a year's fund raising.

Terry Dancey, a member of the choir, said: “The Divas’ raison d’etre is to raise money for The Macmillan Unit at Christchurch Hospital and to date they have raised over £31,984 for them.”

The cheque presentation was followed by a large raffle with over 50 prizes donated by the Divas and many local businesses. The coffee morning itself raised £1,000, which is a record for the singing group.

Terry continues: “The Divas are thrilled to be kicking off their new year’s fundraising with such an amazing total, and would like to thank everyone who attended, donated and worked so hard to make this event such a success.”

The ladies raise money by singing at various care homes, local church groups, community halls etc. They produce two-hour long programmes a year, plus a Christmas programme which they are often to be found singing outside local supermarkets.

The Divas do not make a charge but take a donation from the various clubs they sing for. All monies raised go to Macmillan Caring Locally, the ladies pay all their own expenses.

If you would like to book the Divas to sing for your group, please contact Maureen Hardy on 01425 280367, or email petmo.hardy@btinternet.com