Three good causes have each received £1,000 from the members of Felixstowe Community Choir.

Since it formed five and a half years ago, the choir has given £24,000 to charity, as well as appearing in many fundraising concerts and events.

Nominated and chosen by choir members, the latest charity cheques went to Fresh Start, New Beginnings, Music in Felixstowe and the schoolroom at Ipswich Hospital.

Choir founder Rachel Sloane said: “We are a non-profit-making choir, run by volunteers, so any surplus funds are given to charity. The diverse charities chosen this time show the breadth of interests amongst our members and it is especially pleasing when our donation makes a real difference to a small local charity.”

Cheques were received, at a choir meeting, by Hattie Bennett (from Music in Felixstowe), Diana Porter (Fresh Start, New Beginnings) and Kate Kingsford-Bere (teacher at the Ipswich Hospital schoolroom.)

Felixstowe Community Choir meets at the Orwell Hotel on Monday evenings throughout the year (including Bank Holidays) and anyone over 18 is welcome to attend.

Singers pay £4 per week, and there is the charity raffle.

The choir sings mainly show tunes and pop songs. There are usually around eighty men and women attending, led by professional musician, Emily Bennett.