Big Sing raises charity cash

A “BIG SING” event featuring around 40 singers at the Big Kirk in Lerwick raised £812 for three different charities on Sunday evening.

It was put together by locum doctor Veronica McBurnie, who organises similar events in Scotland’s central belt and said it had been a “fabulous” day.

The proceeds will be divided between From Shetland With Love, Disability Shetland and the Red Cross Syrian appeal.

Highlights included a holidaymaker from New Zealand who “stunned us all with her rendition of Imagine”, while three generations of one family attended, as did paralympian Erraid Davies and Zimbabwean musician Bruno Ashley, who taught participants a song about building a shelter.

Veronica was joined by fellow GPs Catherine Brown and Dylan Murphy to sing Hallelujah as a trio.

Dylan also played Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven – the title to which she conceded was “maybe not a doctor’s best promotion” – and there was also a set from Sven McAlpine.

“Everyone sang their hearts out, and we ended with Bohemian Rhapsody, which was amazingly mental!” Veronica said.

“Some folk new to the islands came to sing and some folk come back from previous years.

“It was all good for a sunny day – it was the first time my heart had sunk at the sight of sunshine!

“The audience gave generously and we made £812 for From Shetland With Love, the Red Cross Syrian appeal and Disability Shetland.

“One of our favourite songs was I Love My Life – and we all agreed we certainly did for all of yesterday!