Puccini and fettuccine

Press release issued: 17 November 2003

Local soprano singers and music graduates from Bristol University, Rachel Skinner and Sotonye Omuku, will be singing for their supper later this month [Friday, November 28] in aid of the University's Cancer Research Fund.

Local soprano singers and music graduates from Bristol University, Rachel Skinner and Sotonye Omuku, will be singing for their supper later this month.

Rachel and Sotonye will give a charity concert featuring a selection of Italian arias such as O mio babbino caro from Puccini's Gianni Schicchi and Signore ascolta from Turandot.

All money raised will be given to the Cancer Research Fund, an internal endowment fund at Bristol University, headed by Professor of Histopathology, Massimo Pignatelli.

The Cancer Research Fund awards grants to young researchers to help them work towards the crucial preliminary results that will enable them to gain larger project grants from the major medical research funding bodies. Research is undertaken into many aspects of the major cancers including breast, bowel, laryngeal, oral, prostate cancers and leukaemia.

Professor Pignatelli said: "Over the years, the Cancer Research Fund has continued to support high quality research projects into the biology and causes of cancer. We would like to be able to expand the support for cancer research in Bristol and ensure that the income is sufficient to fulfil scientific ambitions of many cancer scientists in Bristol. I am extremely grateful to everyone involved in this fundraising event."

Event organiser, Maria Amesbury, added: "When my brother died two years ago, shortly before his 55th birthday and only a month after he was diagnosed with lung cancer, I was left with a terrible sense of loss, anger and frustration.

"Fundraising for the University of Bristol Cancer Research Fund has helped me come to terms with my grief and has transformed my anger into something positive. We need to help Bristol University's young and dedicated researchers to fight against this terrible illness. Our only hope is research."

The concert will take place on Friday, November 28 at 7.30 pm at the Elmgrove Centre, Elmgrove Road, Cotham, and will be followed by an Italian meal.

Tickets cost £15, £25 for a family (parents with young children under 12), £12 concessions (students and OAPs) and can be booked in advance by telephoning Bristol 971 3072.