A MAN whose wife has dementia inspired Taunton Male Voice Choir to stage a fundraising concert for Alzheimer’s UK.

The performance in Oake on Saturday (November) raised over £700.

Peter Vann, whose wife Carole has been living with dementia since 2015, contacted the choir to persuade the to hold the event as of the 10 charity concerts they perform each year.

He also suggested to the team at Camelot House and Lodge, where Carole, 79, has lived for four years, that tickets to the concert would a way of thanking staff for the “wonderful” way they care for residents.

The audience were able to enjoy classic favourites such as Sunrise, Sunset from Fiddler on the Roof, Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody and Bring Him Home from Les Misérables.

Mr Vann, 82, said: “Alzheimer’s is such a cruel disease and having supported Carole myself for the first four years of her illness, I know how challenging it can be to care for people who are affected."

He added: “We will have been married for 60 years next year, but Alzheimer’s changes so much about the person you love, and it just isn’t always possible – especially when you have health issues of your own – to provide the right level of care for a loved one who is affected, however much you want to.

“The team at Camelot House and Lodge are so caring and provide such wonderful support for Carole that I know I can relax in the confident knowledge that she is receiving the best of care.”

Sam Paddon, head of care at Camelot House and Lodge, said: “We had such positive feedback from the group who went to Saturday’s concert, and were grateful to Peter for suggesting the outing, and in awe of his dedication in getting the choir to adopt Alzheimer’s UK as their charity of choice for this concert.”

Taunton Deane Male Voice Choir dates from 1946 and has been singing under its current name since 1974.

The choir has travelled extensively, performing in prestigious venues such as the Royal Albert Hall and participating on five occasions in the Cornwall International Male Voice Choral Festival.

New members are welcome - details at www.tauntondeanemvc.com