Horsley Choral Society’s Christmas Concert has raised a record £1233 for its nominated charity, at its performance of Handel’s Messiah just before Christmas. Thanks to the generosity of those attending the sum raised was almost double that collected last year.

This year’s charity, Annabelle’s Challenge, nominated by choir member Jacqui Fisher, is a charity supporting people who have Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (vEDS). vEDS is a rare connective tissue disorder that affects all tissues, arteries and internal organs in the body making them extremely fragile. Patients are at daily risk of sudden arterial or organ rupture often with catastrophic results. They also have extremely fragile skin which bruises and tears with little or no trauma. Daily life is a difficult balance between managing the extreme anxiety of a major rupture whilst trying to live fulfilling and productive lives. Patients are on constant high alert and emergency ready.

VEDS is thought to affect around 800 people in the UK. The condition is genetic and there is no known cure. Annabelle’s Challenge supports people with this awful condition as well as their families, giving them a safe space to talk and share their experiences. They help people to navigate their medical care and to advocate for themselves with medics who mostly haven’t heard of or had any experience of vEDS. They also work to raise awareness, both generally and within the medical profession and raise funds for research.

Jacqui’s son was diagnosed when he was 7 years old. Since then he has suffered multiple complications including collapsed lungs, dissected arteries, bowel rupture, lung bleeds and numerous cuts and severe bruising.  At the age of just twenty-four he suffered a stroke.

Jacqui volunteers for Annabelle’s challenge as a patient advocate. Her role involves running support groups, supporting patients and their families to be prepared and self advocate in the event of a medical emergency and raising awareness and knowledge, especially amongst health care providers. Jacqui is always looking for ways to help raise the much-needed funds to support this work. Over the last twenty years outcomes for people with Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome have improved, with some people now living into middle age. This is due to the tireless work of Annabelle’s Challenge and some very dedicated medical specialists who support them. Raising awareness and funds helps to save lives, and gives people affected by Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome hope for the future. More information on its work can be found at https://www.annabelleschallenge.org

Horsley Choral Society is a non-audition choir which rehearses every Monday in East Horsley. They are currently preparing for a performance of local composer Will Todd’s Passion Music, part of the Leith Hill Music Festival to be held on Friday 11th April in the Dorking Halls. The Choir welcomes new members- more information can be found at www.horsleychoralsociety.com