A GRANT of £25,000 is being donated to help young choristers at Durham Cathedral.

Peter Smith, assistant grants secretary from the Friends of Cathedral Music, will formally present a cheque in support of chorister bursaries at Eucharist on Sunday at 11.15am.

He said: “The Friends of Cathedral Music are delighted to support Durham Cathedral’s Chorister Bursary Endowment Fund.

“This will help to ensure that any talented child can join the choir, whatever their financial background.”

The cathedral holds an endowment fund at the County Durham Community Foundation, specifically to support children of families who may not otherwise be able to afford Chorister School tuition fees.

The fund is pivotal in ensuring that music remains an integral part of the cathedral’s life.

Since 1956, the Friends of Cathedral Music have donated £4 million to Anglican and Catholic cathedrals, churches and collegiate chapel choirs to champion the living tradition of cathedral music.

Daniel Cook, Master of the Choristers and organist of Durham Cathedral, said: “This generous donation is very welcome as we strive to offer choristerships to everyone, regardless of their circumstances.

“Choristerships at Durham represent a life changing opportunity for girls and boys in school years three to eight to play their part in a musical tradition which is nearly a thousand years old.”