2:22pm Friday 8th May 2009
FIFTY hymns will be sung back-to-back at a village church tomorrow to raise funds for the Anthony Nolan Trust.
The marathon singing effort was arranged after parish priest, the Reverend Carol Lloyd, heard of the ordeal of a local young leukaemia sufferer Ethan Purvis, in Coxhoe.
Three years after the disease was diagnosed, Ethan is progressing well after intensive treatment at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary.
Although he has responded well without the need for a bone marrow transplant, his family are supportive of Saturday’s Sing for Life event.
His father, John, said: “You wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy what we’ve undergone in the last three years.
“But Ethan’s like a normal schoolboy now and, although we never think we’re completely in the clear, he’s doing well and we’re only having to take him for a blood test once a month at the moment.”
Around 30 of Ethan’s school mates at Coxhoe Primary will take part in the marathon event on Saturday, singing the first ten hymns, accompanied by the Rev Lloyd, on guitar, at St Mary’s C of E Church in the village.
Members of the church choir, backed by the congregation both at St Mary’s and church-goers in neighbouring Kelloe, will then sing the remaining 40-strong hymn “hit list”.
The Rev Lloyd said it includes many familiar favourites, sung to the accompaniment of church organist John Davies and his counterpart from St Aidan’s Church, at Chilton, Chris Baker.
Anyone keen to join in or contribute to the cause is welcome at St Mary’s, in Church Street, Coxhoe, from 2pm.
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