Manhattan Voices’ concert boosts Dementia Appeal

Local singing group Manhattan Voices performed to a sellout crowd at Scarborough Hospital.

The group raised more than £1,000 at the performance with the money donated to the Dementia Appeal being run by York Teaching Hospital Charity to improve the experience for patients living with dementia when they are admitted to hospital in Scarborough, York, Malton or Bridlington. The 18-strong group, led by musical director Sue Hartley, entertained the audience with a medley of musical theatre numbers, Gilbert and Sullivan and well known classics. They were joined by soloist Francesca Santamaria Lee who, after training at the Royal Northern College of Music and the Guildhall School, has enjoyed a career on the West End in London performing in Phantom and West Side Story among many more. She has also toured as Vocal Consultant to some of the world’s biggest rock stars and now lives in Scarborough. The Dementia Appeal is being run by York Teaching Hospital Charity to raise £200,000 to buy specialist equipment, provide additional staff training and improve environments so that people living with dementia can have as comfortable and caring experience as possible. Manhattan Voices perform at St Andrew’s Church on Saturday May 13, at 7.30pm, with New Mill Male Voice Choir. Tickets £5 from Scarborough Academy of Music – call 01723 330000.