THE chart-topping Military Wives Choir will be visiting Crediton on Saturday, December 19 to sing at a special charity concert in aid of Exeter Leukemia Fund (ELF).

The concert, to be held at Hayward’s Primary School, will also feature local choirs and soloists singing a variety of seasonal music.

The Military Wives are very well-known for their million-selling hit "Wherever You Are", their work with choral supremo Gareth Malone, their concerts with “Take That’s” Gary Barlow and Andrew Lloyd Webber and for their charity work.

They also sung at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics in London.

They have just returned from Metropolis Studios in London where they recorded what they hope will be a chart-topping Christmas charity single.

"Walk 500 Miles" is an energetic and toe-tapping cover of the 1988 “Proclaimers” hit of the same name. Proceeds from the single are going to Walking For The Wounded, a homeless veterans charity.

"This is a massive coup for Crediton," says Tim Matthews, Musical Director to Lympstone Military Wives Choir, many of whose members founded the Military Wives in 2010.

"It is the first time the ladies have sung in Crediton and this is happening against the background of them appearing on TV to promote their new single.

“I am proud to be involved with the choir and it is great to be able to bring them to a concert here. All the ladies feel that singing at local concerts like this is really important and charity work is at the centre of everything we do."

Tim also runs “The Crediton Singers” who will feature at the concert.

Lucy Wallace and Madeleine Sanders from QE School will sing hits from the 1960s and 1990s, while Crediton Junior Choir, featuring children from Hayward’s and Landscore Primary Schools, will sing Christmas carols.

"This is going to be a top notch event with some fantastic singing and this year we are thrilled to be able to donate money to ELF," says Tim.

“Crediton has a great deal of vocal talent and this will be clear during the concert. When we initially formed the choir we wanted to put on concerts where admission was free and where local charities would be supported. To date we have raised more than £1,000 for local good causes."

Admission to the forthcoming concert is free and on a first-come, first-served basis. Concert-goers will be encouraged to dig deep and donate to ELF.

Everyone is welcome and there will be refreshments available throughout the evening.

For further information please telephone Marie on 01363 898047.

Alan Quick