A Helensburgh choir is celebrating their successful start to 2024 after securing more than £10,000 for its upcoming Diamond Jubilee concert.

The Helensburgh Oratorio Choir has received £10,575 in funding from several sources to support the cost of staging its 60th anniversary show

The event is set to take place at Glasgow City Halls on Sunday, February 18.

Alicia Tindal, chair of the Helensburgh Oratorio Choir, said: "This is fantastic news.

"The cost to stage this unique event is about £25,000, so we are most grateful to each of these funding bodies for their support.

"With over 160 performers on stage, it promises to be an exciting and exhilarating evening and I would urge people to support us and buy tickets as soon as possible."

Creative Scotland provided £5,000 towards the event, while the People’s Postcode Trust and the William Syson Foundation donated £2,450 and £1,125 respectively.

Helensburgh Advertiser: The choir is comprised of over 160 localsThe choir is comprised of over 160 locals (Image: Helensburgh Oratorio Choir)

The SCOPS Arts Trust and The Vaughan Williams Charitable Trust - an organisation established to make his music widely accessible to the public – each donated £1,000.

The choir will perform R Vaughan Williams’ Sea Symphony, folk songs arranged by Helensburgh musician Derek Clark, and a composition called Breathing Space by Aileen Sweeney, inspired by environmental issues connected with Loch Lomond.

They will be joined by the Rosenethe Singers from Dunblane, professional soloists and an orchestra of over 60 players from Scottish Opera and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.

Retiring collections are in aid of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), which is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year.

Tickets are available to purchase from choir members or online at www.ticketsglasgow.com.