After raising £250,000 for charity, group needs your help

The Wandering Minstrels perform gala concerts of Gilbert and Sullivan numbers in Bedfordshire, and beyond, to help good causes.

The seven members are professional musicians and run the group in their spare time.

Musical director and pianist Peter Hewitt said after 25 years the group is in danger of folding as they have run out of money.

He said: “The majority of our performances are staged in parish churches, helping raise much-needed funds for these wonderful buildings and local charities, and sometimes for national charities such as Save the Children and The Samaritans.

“We have also played in theatres and stately homes around the country.

“A charitable organisation will book us to give the concert and we ask only a bare minimum fee. The organisation is then able to raise at least £1,000 profit by ticket and refreshment sales.”

Now the group is hoping those who have benefitted from the music - organisations or audience members - might be able to make a donation to keep the group going.

Peter said: “It’s such a worthwhile group. Every pound you donate will directly be converted into a minimum of £12 for charity.

“We need to raise about £8,000 in order to keep us going for another ten years. During that time we will raise at least £100,000 by giving 100 concerts.”

To support the Wandering Minstrels, go to www.gofundme.com/SaveTheWMs

For more information, go to www.wanderingminstrels.org.uk