Sing for Life Nottingham project raises over £25,000 for Breast Cancer UK

For the past few months, Sing for Life Nottingham has been uniting women of all diversities, ages, and abilities to form a singing group which culminated in a spectacular live performance at the stunning Albert Hall concert venue in Nottingham.  

Pianist and singer-songwriter Philippa Steel, who led the Sing For Life Nottingham project, was beyond thrilled with the final result.

"We are so proud of our Sing For Life community for raising a phenomenal amount of money for Breast Cancer UK! Our incredible singers performed an outstanding set of six pieces at the Albert Hall in Nottingham and absolutely blew our audience away with how beautifully they sang."

She continues, "We can't believe how far we have come in just six weeks. This project has been supported by many hardworking volunteers and our sponsors MHR, Turner and Townsend and Banks Music Publications. We are incredibly proud of everything that has been achieved with this project and know that the money raised will help so many."

Sing for Life Nottingham was open to everyone, from those who sing with the shampoo bottle in the shower or belts out a tune while driving, to the queen of karaoke.  

Alongside Philippa as musical director, the project was supported by a creative team led by secretary Howard Lloyd and creative director Ian Watts, who have a wealth of experience in musical projects of this nature after running the singing group Nottingham Men Allowed in 2024 and 2025 for Prostate Cancer UK. 

Philippa said: “I went along to the previous project and was lucky enough to see the process. It was such a powerful experience, so we started talking about doing it again but with upper voices.”  

Howard added: “The Nottingham Men Allowed group developed a real sense of camaraderie and sense of purpose. They all became great friends.”  

A series of ‘meet and greets’ took place to introduce group members who signed up. People were invited along to have an informal voice test with Philippa and have a relaxed singing back and forth to see where they were best placed within the group.  

Howard, whose grandmother had breast cancer, added: “The group was open to anybody with an upper voice who fancied having a go at challenging themselves at singing for a really good cause. From people who have zero experience, zero knowledge, and zero confidence – to people that have sung for years, read music, and have loads of confidence.”  

Each person who joined the group was given professional learning tracks and some music to take away and easily practise at home.  

Ian said: “Each person has a part. You listen to that part, and it won't make much sense on its own but you learn it and then turn up to the first rehearsal and somebody else has learned a different part. It then all comes together in that first rehearsal. You can see people looking around the room and are wondering, ‘how on earth is this working?’ It’s some kind of musical magic!”  

Howard noted that several people involved in Nottingham Men Allowed were quick to volunteer again after finding out who the beneficiary would be this time.:

"When we announced it to the male singing group, and asked for help with this project, we had two people step forward straight away as both their wives were being treated for breast cancer. It immediately touches people and gives that extra motivation to help.”  

Breast cancer is the most common cancer amongst women in the UK, with over 55,000 women diagnosed each year, but at least 30% of cases are preventable. Breast Cancer UK works to prevent breast cancer through education, scientific research, collaboration, and policy change.  

Sadly, not all cases are preventable. But studies have shown that making changes to your lifestyle can reduce your chances of getting breast cancer significantly. The charity uses the latest academic research on breast cancer prevention to provide guidance on how to reduce your risk.  

There were only six rehearsals at a venue in Nottingham ahead of the concert at the 700-capacity Albert Hall, which took place on 29th March. The group learnt six different pieces of music from classical, contemporary classical, modern classical and show music, all the way through to pop.  

Howard added: “It might seem a short space of time [...] but they all turn up wondering, ‘What on earth is going to happen?’ And they just achieve it within a very short time. And it's such a powerful thing for people to be part of.”   

Each person who took part in the project has a JustGiving page and has been encouraged to seek sponsorship from friends and family. So far, the group have raised over £26,000, all of which will help fund vital work in breast cancer prevention.

To make a donation to the project visit their JustGiving page here.