A CHOIR is tuning up for a Christmas concert in Old Hill to raise money to help change a disabled Rowley Regis schoolgirl’s life.

Voices in Harmony’s annual festive event, Joy to the World, at Holy Trinity Church on Saturday, December 12, is expected to be a sell-out.

The 65-strong choir will be supported by its young people’s choir Pure Harmony and Flowers Brass Ensemble, with a programme of traditional and new festive songs, plus many favourite carols for the audience to join in with.

Half the proceeds raised will go towards a £35,000 appeal to fund surgery to help cerebral palsy sufferer Leah Davy walk unaided.

The six-year-old, who attends Springfield Primary School, was born with spastic diplegia which means the muscles in her legs are tight, making her unable to put her feet flat on the floor to walk.

The appeal has raised £25,000 since it was launched just over two years ago.

The rest of the money raised at the concert, which starts at 7pm, will go to the Anthony Nolan Trust, chosen after a member of the choir underwent a bone marrow transplant after months of intensive treatment for leukaemia.

Choir spokesman Bill McBain said Leah’s plight had come to their notice through their two accompanists Lis Round and Hilary Bradley who are leaders at the youngster’s Rainbow pack.

The choir has raised £85,000 for good causes since it was formed and Mr McBain said the Christmas concert was always a highlight of choir’s year.

“We hope to get everyone properly into the festive spirit,” he added.

The concert at the church in Halesowen Road will start at 7pm and tickets, priced £7, are available from the choir’s website www.vihchoir.org or by phoning 01384 635507 The choir is also singing at the Advent service at Cradley’s Overend Methodist Church on Sunday (December 6) at 6pm.