A Poole-based community choir that supports local families struggling financially because of cancer is looking for new members.
The DCCF Choir was founded in 2024 to support the work of the Dorset Cancer Care Foundation (DCCF).
The choir performs at local events and raises money to give cancer patients grants for costs including household bills and transport to and from hospital.
All money raised by the choir, which has 24 members aged 25 to 80, goes towards the work of the charity. So far it has raised more than £5,000 for the charity.
Maria Primmer, one of the choir’s founders, said: “There’s no pressure to be a great singer.
“Some of our members have sung before and others just like singing in the shower – but we find a harmony that works for each voice.
“We set the choir up to be a community, and we try to run it for our members and the songs they like to sing.
“The most important thing to us all is that we have fun and walk out feeling ready for the rest of the week.”
Julie Barbary and her daughter Sophie Hinks, from Poole, both sing in the choir. Sophie was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer when she was younger.
“It was a terrible time, and she spent months in hospital in London,” Julie said.
“I couldn’t work and was terrified I would lose my house. But the DCCF gave me money to help pay my mortgage and I’ll never forget that.
“Singing in the DCCF choir is something Sophie and I love – for the joy of it, for the camaraderie, and also the satisfaction of knowing we are supporting other Dorset families fighting cancer.”
The choir meets from 19:00 to 21:00 GMT every Wednesday, from January 7, 2026.
It meets at Discovery Court Business Centre, 551-553 Wallisdown Road at the Café Entrance. Sessions cost £5, but the choir offers free taster sessions.
