Thanks to a sold-out performance on Saturday, 14th December, Ealing Choral Society’s annual carol concert has raised more than £8000 for The Store Cupboard.

In the presence of the Worshipful the Mayor of Ealing and President of Ealing Choral Society, Yvonne Johnson, the choir, one of London’s very best, conducted by Peter Asprey, performed a variety of festive pieces to raise much-needed funds for The Store Cupboard, an affordable food project located in West Ealing.

The capacity audience at St Barnabas Church, Pitshanger Lane, Ealing enjoyed singing and listening to much-loved carols and seasonal readings from Christopher Wickenden of Haven Funeral Services (sponsor of the concert programme), broadcaster and ECS Associate John Sergeant, Polly Knewstub, Ealing Council Member for Healthy Equal Lives, and representing The Store Cupboard Sue Clark and Sue Brahams. The evening was rounded off with refreshments in the hall.

Members of the Store Cupboard pay a £3.50 weekly membership fee and can choose food including fresh fruit, vegetables, chilled and frozen goods as well as store cupboard staples. This all takes place in a normal shopping environment, with volunteers on hand to chat and listen. The Store Cupboard also offers signposting to other agencies to enable people to move on from its support. The Store Cupboard feels that cost shouldn’t be a barrier to nutritious healthy food -including fresh fruit and vegetables. Lately rising food and fuel bills have stretched household budgets even more.

“The Store Cupboard aims to provide an effective way to help people’s food budgets go further when they find themselves in need. Our main emphasis is to provide healthy affordable food including fresh fruit and vegetables. We also spend time talking and listening to our clients and signpost to other local agencies.. We are delighted that Ealing Choral Society is helping us to achieve this vision through their support this Christmas”  Edna Hischer, The Store Cupboard Manager.

If you would like to know more about The Store Cupboard and how you may help, please visit their website. If you wish to donate, please visit the GoFundMe page set up for the concert.