THE plight of a Halesowen charity shop which had been broken into six times in two years struck a chord with choir members who are planning a fundraising concert.

Voices in Harmony decided to divert the proceeds to the Cancer Research UK shop after reading about the break-ins in the News.

Choir spokesman Bill McBain said the concert, at the Cornbow Hall on Saturday April 5, was already being staged for the charity, but the money raised would have gone to its central funds, until members asked if they could go to the shop instead.

Shop manageress Jean Shaw said: “This is wonderful news and although the money will end up in exactly the same place, each shop has to justify its existence and the money Voices in Harmony Choir donates to Cancer Research UK via our shop will help keep a presence here in the High Street and so help us to continue to raise funds for researchers in their quest for cancer cures and treatments.”

The concert, which starts at 7pm, is being compered by BBC Midlands Today presenter Michael Collie, who is offering his service free of charge.

Tickets, priced £8, can be booked via the choir’s website at www.vihchoir.org or by phoning 01384 635507. Any unsold can be bought on the door.