A local brass band has raised £1163 for the Christie at Macclesfield appeal through their virtual Christmas concert.

The Macclesfield Youth Brass Band (MYBB) achieved the sum despite not being able to rehearse in person since last March.

The band, which also featured in the Christie online Christmas concert, was due to perform at the annual Christie concert at St Michaels which was cancelled due to the lockdown.

The band realised the impact on fundraising opportunities for the charity and was even more keen to find a way to show their support.

Musical Director Louise Renshaw said: "We are all really missing our Friday night band practices but we have managed to keep things going online.

"It was during our Friday night Zoom session that the band members decided that they would like to donate the proceeds raised by the concert to the Christie. We are delighted to have raised such a fantastic amount."

The virtual Christmas concert was in MYBB's unique style, a mix of fun and music including solo contributions as well as some composite videos specially recorded for the event. It has received hundreds of views and you can still catch it on the MYBB YouTube channel.

Louise added: "Taking everything online is a major challenge but we have been very fortunate in having the help of our superb volunteers and in particular I want to thank Andy and Dom Ritchie from Tyrz in Bollington and Congleton who not only sponsor the band but gave many hours work to pull together the content to produce a really entertaining virtual concert.

"Needless to say, we all hope that it won't be too long before we can get back to live music and we look forward to continuing to support The Christie whenever we can."

Louise Dawson, Community Fundraising Officer for The Christie, said:"We're hugely grateful to everyone at Macclesfield Youth Brass Band for their continued support of The Christie at Macclesfield appeal.

"2020 was a challenging year for all and we have been inspired by the creative and inventive way the brass band was able to come together last Christmas to raise vital funds to support cancer patients in the region. Our sincere thanks go out to all involved."