Choir raises funds for Southend Hospital's neonatal unit

Southend Hospital's neonatal unit has received a donation of £1,400 from local choir Vocal Ease. The money was raised as part of the choir's tenth anniversary celebrations.

Vocal Ease was formed by Lesley Flemming whose grandson was born with a rare genetic condition and was treated at the neonatal unit seven years ago.

Lesley says: "Thanks to the marvellous work of all the consultants and medical team at the neonatal unit, they saved my grandson's life. He is deaf as a result of the condition but is now a happy and very affectionate seven-year-old little boy.

"As a way of saying thank you, I decided to raise money for the unit at our concert and we have been doing so every year since then. We have raised £8,000 in total over the last seven years."

Vicky Thompson, Neonatal Practice Educator at Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, says: "We are so grateful for the continued support that we have received from Lesley and the Vocal Ease choir over many years. Charitable donations enable us to purchase new equipment and make improvements to our facilities, for the patients and their families."