SOME of Ayrshire’s top musical talent helped raise £8,000 for charity at a virtual gala concert recently.

The line-up for Ayrshire Hospice’s annual Light Up A Life Christmas concert included The McIlwraith Brothers, young people from the CentreStage arts academy and the Janice Marshall Stage School, and The Voice UK semi-finalist, Jeremy Levif.

Presented by Linda Ormiston OBE and Ayrshire Hospice’s assistant fundraising manager, Graeme Strawhorn, the event, held on Sunday, November 28, was hosted virtually for the second year in a row as a Covid safety precaution.

An incredible sum of money was raised recently for an Ayrshire charity after they hosted a concert featuring some well-known Ayrshire musicians.

On Sunday, November 28, Ayrshire Hospice hosted their annual Light up a Life Christmas Concert raising £8,000 in the process.

It was hosted virtually for the second year in a row, owing to coronavirus concerns. Presenting at the event were duo Linda Ormiston OBE and Ayrshire Hospice’s assistant fundraising manager, Graeme Strawhorn.

The concert featured performances from the finest Ayrshire talent including The McIlwraith Brothers, CentreStage, Janice Marshall Stage School and ‘The Voice UK’ semi-finalist, Jeremy Levif.

The evening also raised awareness of one of the hospice’s flagship appeals by featuring stories by patients and families who have been touched by the care and support Ayrshire Hospice provides.

A spokesperson for the hospice said: “Thank you to everyone who purchased tickets to the concert as well as to anyone who has donated to support our Light up a Life Appeal.

“Together, they have raised an incredible £8,000 for Ayrshire Hospice.

“A special thanks also goes out to the principal sponsor of our Light up a Life Christmas concert, Harry Fairbairn, as well as to our event sponsors for the evening, The Wee House Company and Kitchens by J.S. Geddes.”

The hospice’s Light up a Life appeal comes at what is a difficult time of year for many people who have lost loved ones, and the appeal and Christmas concert offer a special way to remember them in an uplifting and joyful way.

Alongside the musical entertainment it was a jam-packed evening as kind donations flooded in online, through social media and over the phone – where supporters were greeted by members of the charity’s clinical team, who staffed the helplines throughout the event.