This fabulous concert launches a tremendous fundraising effort, The Back the Back Walk for the Royal National Orthapaedic Hospital and the Scoliosis Fund. It will feature guest choirs and soloists along with the celebrated Chiltern choir, The Firth Singers, and a wide variety of music spanning the centuries.
Freya Firth-Robson explains more:
"I was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of 11, and less than a year later had corrective surgery at the base of my spine. My operation lasted 7 hours and involved removing a rib, deflating my lung and inserting 4 titanium screws and a rod to keep my back straight and hold it in position. I had to wear a full back brace for 6 months after the surgery, 23 hours a day, and have a 30cm long scar. Since having my surgery 8 years ago, I have led a completely normal life, and have no problems on a daily basis! I have set up the Back the Back Walk for several reasons. On a personal level, it is a way of me thanking all the people who helped me, both in and out of hospital, on my road to recovery. There is, however, a much bigger purpose for the walk: this is a chance to help others going through treatment, not only by raising funds for the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital Charity and Scoliosis Campaign Fund, but hopefully by inspiring them - I am living proof that the surgery works. The main goal for this walk, however, is to raise awareness for scoliosis itself, and to get people talking about it. The concert is the first step on the journey and promises to be a wonderful celebration of the countryside!".