Our appeal has struck a chord south of the Border      

By Collin MacFarlane MONEY FOR our appeal has been raised far and wide, but so far a Hertfordshire village is the most southerly location in the UK to hold an event to raise much-needed funds for the new children’s hospice. Flora MacGregor was brought up in Kilmarnock, but for 25 years has lived in Hemel Hempstead and gets her copy of The Sunday Post delivered every week. So she’s well aware of our appeal and regularly reads about your fund-raising exploits. Flora’s a qualified piano teacher, and from Monday to Thursday teaches children from age seven up to adult. Having raised money through charity concerts before, Flora decided a few weeks ago she’d like to try to raise some cash for CHAS. “I’ve organised charity concerts in the past but it’s been quite a few years since I’d arranged one so The Sunday Post’s CHAS appeal was an obvious choice,” says Flora. “I was listening to one of my pupils, Francis Toorawa, beautifully playing Chopin’s Raindrop Prelude and I felt it was so good it should be heard at a concert. “When I suggested a concert to the pupils they all seemed keen as it was for a good cause.” So, last Saturday, 14 of Flora’s pupils tinkled the ivories in front of friends and family at Potten End village hall, Berkhamstead. “We raised £210.43 on the day,” said a delighted Flora. “I wasn’t getting off with just organising the event. I was told I’d have to perform as well. “I nearly forgot to introduce one pupil, but apart from that everything went to plan! “I thoroughly enjoy teaching piano. I have one pupil at the moment, Alex Morrison, whose dad is Scottish.  “He’s developing into a gifted pianist and has definitely been the pinnacle of my teaching ability so far.” It just shows that even south of the Border, CHAS strikes a chord!

You can e-mail us at: hospice@sundaypost.com