Opera Event raises £20,350 for força

On Thursday 29th June 2023, a fabulous evening of Opera took place against the stunning backdrop of the Lymington-Keyhaven Nature Reserve. The event has raised an incredible £20,350 for força - strength against cancer, which will be used to help people living with cancer in Hampshire and Dorset.

Opera performers and forca trustees at Opera in the Garden

We are hugely grateful to Amanda and Simon Mann who invited us all into their beautiful garden. Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets and came along to this unique event - we do hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. And thanks also to those who couldn't attend the event and who made a donation instead.

People sitting in a garden in deckchairs watching Opera in the Garden

Many thanks to the performers - leading UK opera singers Colin Judson, Ellie Laugharne, James Cleverton and Annabella-Vesela Ellis and accomplished pianist, Matthew Fletcher.

Thank you to The Curious Club for their help, to the food and drink stalls for donating 10% of their evening's turnover, to Kemlo and Kemlo for the beautiful floral display on the 'stage' and fabulous bouquets, to Rui Charnock for illustrations of the evening and to photographer Paul Close.

Everyone in the força strength against cancer team volunteers their time, therefore all the funds raised by this event will be used to fund our Support project (providing specialist bras post-surgery), our Nourish programme (providing nourishing meals to those undergoing chemotherapy at Lymington New Forest Hospital and to daycare patients at Oakhaven Hospice) and our Strength programme (providing financial support to individuals with cancer).

Here are a few of Paul's wonderful photos from the evening...