Saxophone group an £839 hit with single

A VIRTUAL Christmas charity single by Harborough’s Phoenix Saxophone Orchestra has raised £839 for Voluntary Action South Leicestershire (VASL) – more than treble the original £250 target.

The orchestra’s version of Gaudete! featured 14 musicians playing six different types of saxophone.

The final recording was posted on YouTube.

Communications director Jane Smith said: “We’d like to thank everyone who has supported this project and helped us raise this fantastic amount for VASL.”

Parishioners of St Peter and St Paul’s Church in Harrington – where some of the saxophonists accompanied an outdoor carol concert just before Christmas, donated £124, while band The Arthur Park raised £135 by auctioning a rare copy of their limited edition vinyl single, The Life of Stanley.

PR company LE16 Communications gave a £100 donation.

Maureen O’ Malley, charity manager for VASL, said “We are so grateful to Phoenix Sax for this considerable donation.

“To produce something which brings such pleasure to those who hear it is a very special gift and we thank all of the musicians and those involved in promoting single, as well as those of you who made donations.

“The money raised will be used to support those in our community who are lonely and isolated and those who are caring for family members.”

Money can still be donated via the website: justgiving.com/fundraising/PhoenixSax

For more about the orchestra, see: phoenixsax.org.uk