News

30 July 2026

Pitch-perfect fundraising to help Spread the Word

As a small charity run almost entirely by volunteers, we rely on the amazing generosity of local people to continue our work raising awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer.

That's why we're hugely grateful to people like the members of the wonderful Rainford Choir, who have kindly chosen our charity to support this year.

Here, they tell us more about why they decided to help us Spread the Word...

Can you tell us a little about yourself and the choir?

We’re a 58‑strong, warm and welcoming women’s choir, led for the past 23 years, amazingly and with great dedication, by our musical director, Martin Weston.

Martin chooses the most wonderful and often challenging music for us, and he truly is the beating heart of the choir. 

Based in Rainford, we rehearse in the village and perform here regularly, occasionally venturing a little further afield.  Singing is at the centre of everything we do, and we love sharing that joy through concerts and community events. We're a community choir, welcoming, not‑for‑profit singing group, open to anyone, created to bring people together, enjoy music, and support the local community.

Each year we perform two major concerts, with one dedicated entirely to raising funds for Rainford Village’s Walking Day.  As a registered charity, we are committed to supporting local causes through the monies raised at our concerts and coffee mornings, while bringing music to the people and communities around us.

There’s a quote, its origins unclear, that perfectly captures the spirit within our choir: ‘Friendship gives the choir its warmth; singing gives it its soul.’

How has the choir chosen to support our charity?

Each year at our AGM, members are invited to propose charities that matter to them.  The committee reviews the suggestions and creates a shortlist.  The member who nominates a charity then speaks about it at the AGM, and afterwards the whole choir votes on which charities we will support for the year. 

This year, the Dianne Oxberry Trust topped the poll, receiving the most votes from our members.

Why did you choose the Dianne Oxberry Trust?

The charity was nominated by a member who had experienced the loss of her daughter to ovarian cancer, and another member had sadly lost a sister to the disease just over two years ago. 

Supporting local charities is incredibly important to us, and the Dianne Oxberry Trust aligns perfectly with that commitment.

How did you find out about our work?

We first heard about the Trust through a choir member and then learned more through online research.  Many of us were already familiar with Dianne, as her illness was shared openly on local TV.  Her story resonated deeply with our choir community.

Why do you think raising awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer is so important?

Ovarian cancer is often called the “silent killer” because its early symptoms are subtle and easily overlooked; by women themselves and sometimes even by GPs.  But it isn’t truly silent; we just need to know what to listen for. With better education, those early signs become louder, clearer, and harder to miss.

Through our own research, we discovered that there is no reliable screening test, and early diagnosis dramatically improves survival.  Yet many cases are still diagnosed at a late stage.  In a community as small as our choir’s, earlier diagnosis could have saved the lives of two women known and loved by members of the choir.

Awareness isn’t a slogan, it’s a lifeline.  It truly can save lives.

Is the fact we are a charity focused on helping people in the North West important to you?

Absolutely.  Supporting local causes is one of our key criteria when choosing charities.  In recent years we’ve helped local schools, funded defibrillators, and backed community projects, so a North West charity like yours fits perfectly with our values.

What would you say to others considering supporting the Dianne Oxberry Trust?

Do it!

People often say, “My health is my wealth,” and the Trust plays a vital role in helping women protect that wealth by recognising symptoms earlier. 

Donations directly support women in the North West and also can benefit communities far beyond our region.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

It was a pleasure to support the Trust.  Too many women and families are affected by ovarian cancer.  As a women’s choir, we can think of nothing more fitting than supporting other women.  May your work continue to make a real difference across the North West.

As a small group, we’ve raised funds simply through our love and joy of singing.  At heart, we are a charity.  Last year we supported Willowbrook Hospice, Hope House (St Helens), Claire House (Wirral), Salford Royal Heart and Chest Hospital, Liverpool Heart and Chest, The Red Cross, Standing Tall Foundation, Rainford Walking Day, Rainford Parish Church, and Rainford United Reformed Church.  So far this year, alongside the Dianne Oxberry Trust, we have supported Willowbrook Hospice, Her Place, and Rainford First Responders.

Your Trust makes a real difference to women across the North West, and we hope our donation helps to continue that vital work.

Thank you to everyone involved with Rainford Choir for the support, it really will make such a difference as we try to move towards our mission of a future where no-one in the North West dies from ovarian cancer.

If your local community group, business or friends can help DOT too, we'd love to hear from you.  Please get in touch by emailing info@dianneoxberrytrust.org