FOLLOWING an evening of choral music performed by the Border Belles which raised £1,000 for Monmouth Aid the singers are preparing for a 12-hour singathon.

The recent fundraiser will help families and businesses in Monmouth still recovering from the floods that affected the town last November.

The charity concert, Voices Rising, was held in June at St Mary's Priory Church, Monmouth.

They choir was joined by special guests The Harmony Singers from Dinedor, Hereford, the two community choirs performed to an enthusiastic audience, raising the money through ticket sales and a raffle.

The choir’s musical director Emma Rowland-Elsen said: “Music has an incredible way of bringing people together, and that's exactly what happened at Voices Rising. To know that we've been able to raise £1,000 to help local people and businesses affected by the floods is something we're all incredibly proud of.”

"When the floods happened, it suddenly became very personal. My daughter Maddie had to be evacuated across the floodwater. Like so many local families, we saw just how quickly lives can be turned upside down.

The £1,000 has been donated to Monmouth Aid, whose dedicated fund continues to support residents affected by the flooding.

Suzy Mills from Monmouth Aid said: "Although the immediate flood response has passed, sadly there are still families who haven't been able to return home, along with others who continue to face financial hardship because of the flooding.”

The Border Belles is an open-access community choir, welcoming anyone who enjoys singing regardless of previous musical experience.

The Border Belles 12-hour Singathon is being staged at the Corn Exchange on Sunday, September 6 between 8am and 8pm and visiting choirs and singers can sign up for a 10-minute slot in the programme