Befriended marks 10th anniversary with the first of 10 celebration events

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Mid Sussex charity Befriended held a fundraising concert at St Andrews Church in Burgess Hill on Saturday 24 October, kicking off it’s 10th anniversary year with song, friendship and cake.

Andy Starling, Martin O'Hara, Susan Fleet and Marian Tinkler performing at the Befriended concert | Stuart Millar

placeholder image — Andy Starling, Martin O'Hara, Susan Fleet and Marian Tinkler performing at the Befriended concert | Stuart Millar

Befriended volunteer Mary Cox serving cakes at the Befriended concert | Stuart Millar

The “Together in Harmony” concert was organised by Befriended trustee Susan Fleet MBE, and her friend Vicki Lee, who had travelled from New Zealand to take part in the concert. Both of them, along with other performers, sung a range of hits from the 40s, 50s and 60s.

Over 150 people braved Storm Austen to attend the Befriended concert on Saturday afternoon, and everyone was invited to join in with well-known hits such as You've got a friend, Sweet Caroline and We'll Meet Again. During the interval, the guests were treated to tea, coffee and homemade cakes.

Susan Fleet performing at the Befriended concert | Stuart Millar

Befriended, which was established in 2007 with the goal of ending loneliness in Mid Sussex, is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2027. The charity has organised 10 events over the coming year to celebrate its anniversary, termed the “Ten for Ten” celebration.

Karen Reynolds, Susan Fleet, Marian Tinkler, Martin O'Hara and Andy Starling performing at the Befriended concert, accompanied by Vicki Lee on the piano | Stuart Millar

Gail Millar, founder and CEO of Befriended said: “A heartfelt thank you to Susan Fleet, Vicki Lee and all the performers, our wonderful volunteers and everyone who came along. You made this a celebration to remember. At Befriended, we see the difference it makes when people come together: friendships grow, spirits lift and people feel they belong. The concert was a beautiful expression of that.”

Gail Millar, CEO of Befriended, speaking at the fundraising concert | Stuart Millar

The next Ten for Ten event is a Carol Concert on 8 December at Gateway Baptist Church, Burgess Hill, where the Befriended choir will be joined by children from Brighton College Prep Handcross. Everyone is welcome to this event, please contact Befriended at [email protected] or 0300 772 7703 for more details.

Befriended runs a wide range of activities across Mid Sussex, including bi-monthly tea parties, bereavement support, choirs, exercise classes, board games, crafting, IT support and Café Neuro, a drop in café for people with neurological issues.

For more information about Befriended, please visit www.befriended.org