A SOUTHAMPTON community choir will be hitting fund raising notes to help build a state of the art children’s emergency and trauma department which will save thousands of young lives.

Twenty four hours a day and 365 days a year a dedicated Southampton paediatric team look after young people and babies in one of the UK’s busiest children’s emergency departments.

But new facilities, costing anything from a few hundred pounds to thousands, are desperately needed to match the world class treatments.

The wish list ranges from a table in a waiting area for a child to draw pictures and help pass the time to a trolley alongside a new bed.

And the Daily Echo is backing the appeal, spearheaded by Southampton Children’s Hospital Charity and The Murray Parish Trust, to make the £4.8 million project a reality.

Now the fundraising is being boosted by The Living Lordswood Community Choir which is putting on a free concert on July 14, between 7pm and 9pm at the Oakwood Primary School.

There is also a bake off challenge with the choir and audience being invited to bring a cake.

Choir organiser and retired Southampton GP Peter Short says: “We are thrilled to be supporting the Southampton Children’s Hospital Charity – a fantastic charity right on our doorstep.”

“This cause is particularly dear to our hearts as members of the choir have spent anxious hours waiting at the side of children or grandchildren in the hospital’s outdated facilities.

“We hope the summer concert will be a great celebration as the community comes together to listen to great music and enjoy some home baking.”

“The aim of the choir is to bring joy, hope and a sense of belonging to the community. It has exceeded all expectations.”

Launched in 2013 the choir, which is celebrating its 10 th charity concert, has steadily grown from 30 members to more than 50.

It is open access choir with a wide range of ages and musical abilities. Members don’t need to read music as they are taught to sing by listening and repeating what they hear.

Ian Williamson, who lives in Lordswood, says: “I was invited to conduct the choir 6 years ago. When we started we had no idea what a success it would be. We run two choirs a year and each one has been a little larger than the last!”

There is no admission charge for the summer concert but the choir and audience are invited to bring a cake to share in true Bake off style. Donations from raffle and refreshments will go to the choir’s chosen charity.

The choir will be singing in a variety of musical styles reflecting the broad range of ages and musical tastes and there will also be a singalong.

For more information on the choir visit www.livinglordswood.org.uk