YOUNG singers have completed more than 1,600 miles to raise money for Barnsley Youth Choir - the distance of their forthcoming summer tours to Sweden and Edinburgh.
Members raised £6,000, which has seen youngsters chip in towards the cumulative target.
Sixty-four young people will travel to Helsingborg, Sweden, to represent Great Britain in the World Choir Games, the ‘Olympics of singing’, competing at the highest level.
A further 180 children will travel to join them under the bright lights in Scotland to take part in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to perform in the iconic Greyfriars Kirk.
Gorgey Bennett, a singer with the choir and organiser of this fundraiser, said: “We believe that a child’s background shouldn’t limit how far they can go.
“That’s why we’ve run the silly distance of 2,651km in 30 days, from Barnsley, to Sweden, to Edinburgh, to raise money for Barnsley Youth Choir.
“We’re embarking on their most ambitious tour yet this summer - 240 young people and 40 adults are ready to show the world what Barnsley kids are made of.
“However, without fundraising, the sheer cost of this mammoth tour could place the choir under significant financial strain.
“We’ve been pounding the pavements all the way to help the choir stay afloat so they can continue to provide exceptional and life-changing experiences for children and young people in Barnsley.
“For many of these kids, this isn’t just a trip, it’s the moment they get to see how big and wonderful the world can be and how far their talent can take them.
“Finances cannot and should not be a barrier.”
Artistic director Mat Wright told the Chronicle that he was grateful to everyone for their vital efforts.
“Make no mistake, this has been a massive commitment even for those that run regularly and the team have really earned every penny that was donated,” he added.
“Those that aren’t regular runners have had to battle through self-doubt and pain and deserve special praise.
“It’s yet another example of the resilience and determination that young people have here in Barnsley, and we are working so hard to raise the funds we need to make this possible for them, but still have a way to go.
“We hope to make the community proud in Sweden and in Edinburgh.”
