WORCESTER Ukulele Club has managed to donate more than £6,000 to charity despite the coronavirus pandemic – thanks to the generosity of its members.

In spite of the difficulties posed by the virus and social distancing, the club has still continued its donations to the 2020 nominated charity – Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Club chairman Allan Corder said: “We are particularly proud of our fund-raising record so far and even more pleased that we have managed to continue to support ARUK throughout the lockdowns.”

Up to January, 2021, WUC gave £6,101.00 - the bulk of which has been contributed through the generosity of the members who have continued to play their ukuleles on a weekly basis through organised Zoom meetings.

When the first coronavirus lockdown hit, the club was forced to stop all its face-to-face meetings and playing the many gigs that it does each year to raise money for its nominated charity.

Thanks to the resourcefulness of founder member Colin Box all was not lost and WUC has continued to make music and meet regularly online using play along song sheets.

ukulele club

Clearly this is not as good as meeting physically but it has ensured that the enthusiasm for playing ukuleles and being together has been kept alive ready for when the club can return to its usual round of weekly meetings and, just as importantly, playing gigs to entertain the various sectors of the Worcestershire population and raising money for charity.

Members chose ARUK as the club charity for the year 2020, but because of coronavirus and the lack of fund-raising gigs decided to extend its support into 2021. This charity follows on from a very successful year of fund-raising in 2019 when, thanks to the generosity of the public, more than £11,000 was raised for Worcester and District Branch of Parkinson’s UK and more than 100 gigs were played.

Worcester Ukulele Club’s weekly Zoom meetings are regularly attended by some 40 to 50 players.