COUN Bernard Bateman has chosen the Army Benevolent Fund as the beneficiaries of the May 3 concert at Harrogate Royal Hall to mark the Tour de France coming to the county for Le Grand Depart .
"I've picked 'the soldiers' charity' as my charity due to the part the military plays in the economy of the Harrogate district and North Yorkshire, where we estimate they contribute more than £800 million per year," says Coun Bateman, chairman of North Yorkshire County Council.
"I've selected their new Personnel Recovery Unit (PRU) project at Catterick, as it's providing such important treatment for our service personnel returning from war zones having received their serious injuries by serving and keeping us safe."
The 3pm concert will bring together more than 400 participants in a programme of music and song with a Yorkshire/French theme.
Taking part will be the the New Band of the Royal Armoured Corps, fromCatterick; the 150-plus choir members of Rock Up & Sing!, from Harrogate; North Yorkshire County Youth Band; Selby College Singers; opera singer Kate McLaren; euphonium soloist Michael Dodd; St Cuthbert’s and Dacre Braithwaite School Band; and Sophie Reed and Joy Sutcliffe, joint runners-up in the BBC Young Chorister of the Year competition. The compere will be Paul Dutton.
"This concert is the major event of my fund-raising programme and to date that programme has raised more than £16,000," says Coun Bateman.
Tickets cost £20, concessions £15, on 01423 502116. at harrogatetheatre.co.uk or in person from the theatre.
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