Classical Bridgewater Hall concert raises money for hospice

Dr Huw Purssell performing with the European Doctors' Orchestra

The worlds of music and medicine will combine for a glittering charity concert at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester in October.

The occasion on Sunday, October 20, will bring back happy memories for Dr Huw Purssell, who plays the cello in the acclaimed European Doctors’ Orchestra.

The concert is raising funds for St Ann’s Hospice where Huw was on placement several years ago during studies at medical school.

The orchestra is made up of European medics who voluntarily use what little spare time they have performing charity concerts at different Europe-wide locations twice a year.

Huw, from Heaton Mersey, Stockport, said: “Music is a way of relaxing in any career but certainly with the pressures of the medical profession.

“A lot of doctors want to play in the orchestra but because we’re all so busy we can’t attend every concert.

“We rehearse intensively for three days and then perform on Sundays. I’m really looking forward to the concert in Manchester. It is an epic programme in a fantastic hall for an incredible cause.

“I spent four weeks at St Ann’s in Little Hulton and it’s a lovely place and I could see the important work they do.

“Since then I’ve had a lot of dealings with St Ann’s through patients with palliative diagnoses at the hospitals in Salford and Wigan where I’ve worked.”

Huw, who has played the cello since the age of eight, currently works as a gastroenterology registrar at Blackpool Victoria Hospital and moves to the Royal Oldham Hospital in September.

Tickets priced £22.50, including booking fee, are available from The Bridgewater Hall.

The concert, celebrating the human spirit, opens with Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, followed by Brahms’ Song of Destiny and Symphony No. 7 “Leningrad” by Shostakovich. The orchestra will be accompanied by the St George’s Singers.

Organisers are looking for sponsors to cover venue hire costs so that all ticket monies go directly to the hospice. Sponsorship inquiries should be made to Clare Henderson at St Ann’s. (0161 498 3631 or chenderson@sah.org.uk).