Requiem To Cancer

Update - 5 October 2022 - Thank you so much!

We are hugely delighted to announce that the amount raised from Requiem to Cancer 2022 for Cancer Research UK was a shade over £35,000 with the added bonus of another £4,500 on top of that from Gift Aid. It means that we have also fulfilled the ambition of raising £100,000 (before Gift Aid) over the three events.

A huge thank you to everyone who participated in and contributed to the third 24-hour event.

* To Music Directors Jeremy Jackman, Mark Jordan and Neil Ferris who guided us through the music with wonderful good humour to keep us going, and extracted outstanding performances.

* To Janet Wheeler who not only composed the beautiful life-affirming anthem for us but directed every performance of it throughout the event.

* To our superb accompanists and players - pianists Michael Higgins, Simon Gregory, Nicki Rose, Dave Doidge and saxophonists Alastair Penman and Charlie Curtin. Fantastic support and so beautifully played.

* To our soloists Kate Thomson, Katey Rylands, Chris Why, Frazer Scott, Clare Robertson-Hughes and Laurence Williams. You guys were amazing.

* To our fantastic team of helpers who manned the bar and front door, shook buckets and all else in the background whilst the singing was going on - hugely appreciated.

* And to you fabulous singers coming from all corners of the country and beyond for supporting the event and making it actually happen, whether you lasted the entire duration or dipped in and out. This just would not have happened without you. Your enthusiasm for choral music is what made all this possible.

Thank you all so much. Simon would have been grinning from ear to ear.

Ruth, Michael & Neil

Amount raised:
2016 : £31,450
2018 : £37,250
2022 : £35,130 (+ £4,500 Gift Aid)
Total : £103,830 (+ £4,500 Gift Aid)

Simon Wood, the creator of Requiem to Cancer, died peacefully at home at the end of July 2019. He had been fighting cancer for several years as it progressed through his body, ending up with having brain surgery. He was a gentle giant of the tenor line, a quiet and shy man who just loved to sing. Sadly the last year or so had robbed him of being able to participate in most events.

A memorial service marking Simon's life was held on Friday 13th March 2020 in St Paul's Church, Covent Garden - the venue for Requiem to Cancer.

Requiem to Cancer has now raised £100,000 for cancer research as a result of the three events held.

The third event was held finally in September 2022 in honour of Simon - postponed twice as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020-21. If you'd like to find out more about RtC then click on the link below.

If you would like to make a donation to Cancer Research UK in memory of anyone then please use the Donate button shown on the left. Thank you.

What is Requiem to Cancer all about

This page last update 10/10/2022

Requiem to Cancer is grateful to these companies and individuals for their support and sponsorship:

Ruth Yeo
Michael Woods
Neil Dennis
Angus Bearn
Andrew Smith