Tenor’s singing a song for hospice

Opera singer Martin Toal with Alt and St Joseph’s pupils at the CD launch

OLDHAM-BORN opera singer Martin Toal has joined local schoolchildren to produce a Christmas CD in aid of Dr Kershaw’s Hospice.

It will be launched in a blaze of glory when the tenor joins young singers on stage in a festive concert at Oldham Parish Church on Thursday.

The 45-year-old father-of-two lived in Glenmore Drive, Failsworth, until his family moved to South Manchester when he was five.

He turned professional five years ago, dropping teaching to concentrate on his operatic career.

This new venture sees Martin work with pupils from St Joseph’s, Shaw, and Alt Primary School.

The youngsters designed their own cover for the disc, with one picture from each school.

The hospice grabbed the opportunity to work with a performer of Martin’s calibre to bring in vital funds.

Lisa Pearson, Dr Kershaw’s appeals manager, said that it was an honour to have him involved with fundraising.

She said: “Martin lived in Oldham for several years as a child.

“He approached us and asked if he could help.”

Martin lost his father to cancer last year at the age of 69.

“He was far too young,” said Martin. “We are all affected by cancer, and I try to help charities when I can.

“Our number one aim with the CD is to raise money for Dr Kershaw’s, but also to involve children and raise awareness of the importance of the hospice, what it does, and how much it relies on support from the local community to survive.

“It’s a wonderful CD which mixes the innocence of children with an operatic voice.”

A 450-strong gathering will get the chance to hear festive music from the CD at Oldham Parish Church from 7pm.

Lisa added: “Anyone who comes will see a great singer whose background is in the borough, and who is thrilled to bits to be doing something to help.”

About 70 children from each school will be on stage with Martin. Lisa plans to repeat it each year, with two different primary schools involved each time.

The project will help lay the foundations for a Young Supporters’ Club for the hospice and children will be invited into Dr Kershaw’s to see first-hand the work that it does.

The concert will include festive classics like “Away in a Manger”, “Jingle Bells” and “Little Donkey”.

Tickets, priced £8 for adults, £7 for children and pensioners and family tickets for £25, are available from the appeals office on 0161-624 9984, or the schools.

The hospice is appealing for local sponsors to fund the cost of producing the CDs. Anyone who can help should contact the appeals office.



Martin has performed three times at Old Trafford in front of 70,000-strong crowds and also before 80,000 at Wembley on several occasions.
Dubbed England’s winning tenor, Martin has performed at five England football matches — each of them won by the home side, with no goals conceded.

He has also shared the stage with the likes of fellow opera star Lesley Garrett and pop singer Chris de Burgh and sung for the Queen and Prince Philip.

In 2007 he appeared at Boundary Park, before an Oldham Roughyeds match.