SHINE are a Church and Community Children’s Choir, which meet at St. Clare’s Church, Newton Aycliffe, Durham, for children aged 5 upwards, who would like to develop a love of singing and performing.
There is no charge for attending plus juice and biscuits are provided.
In February 2024, SHINE Choir sent thanks to the Durham Freemasons charity who awarded them with a grant of £1000, to quote choir lead, Helen McCormick, “We were stunned and delighted.” The local Freemasons were keen to see the choir grow and develop further.
Singing in a choir has all sorts of proven benefits, aiding speech and language, improving wellbeing and developing confidence are just some reasons to join.
To welcome all, during the half-term break, on Saturday 30th March the SHINE Super Stars took to the stage to bring a taste of Spring and Easter songs and invited all friends and families to attend a performance full of fun while raising funds for SHINE, with a tombola and refreshments.
The event was a sell out, with standing room towards the rear in a packed hall of over 80. Before the main attraction started, local Freemason, Christos Katsambis, who has encouraged and supported SHINE Choir, was invited centre stage.
Helen announced that the Durham Freemasons charity has been so impressed by the great community work SHINE continues to promote in the area, benefitting many local youngsters, that they had decided to award SHINE Choir with a further £1000 and Christos was here to present a certificate on their behalf.
A huge cheer went up and, as previously, a huge thank you is sent to the Durham Freemasons for their much appreciated support.