Classical music lovers are being invited to enjoy a special concert being staged at Lichfield Cathedral later this month - and help a local charity at the same time.

Proceeds from this year’s annual British Police Symphony Orchestra (BPSO) concert in the cathedral will support St Giles Hospice’s vital work caring for people living with cancer and other serious illnesses.

Laura Pennycuick, St Giles Hospice Fundraising Co-ordinator, comments: “Since being formed in 1990 the BPSO has raised over £100,000 for charities and we are delighted and extremely grateful that this year’s concert in Lichfield Cathedral will support St Giles.

“The orchestra is composed of amateur musicians who either work for, or have a close connection with, the UK’s police forces.

“They give their own time for rehearsals and performances and every concert is of the highest musical standard.”

The concert programme, under the baton of guest conductor Andrew Gourlay, will feature Vitava by Smetana followed by the Bruch Violin Concerto, with violin soloist Alessandro Ruisi.

Alessandro is co-leader of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra youth section, a member of the National Youth Orchestra and a leading star of Birmingham Conservatoire.

The evening will conclude with Shostakovich’s 5th Symphony.

The classical concert is being staged on Friday, 27th October, starting at 7.30pm with tickets priced at £7 available from St Giles Hospice Fundraising Office on 01543 432538 and Lichfield Tourist Information Office on 01543 412121.

Police Mutual Insurance and The Clarke Charitable Settlement are jointly sponsoring the event, with PriceWaterhouseCoopers sponsoring guest conductor Andrew Gourlay.

St Giles Hospice is one of the best-known and most respected charities in the region, offering high-quality nursing and medical care for people with cancer and other serious illness, as well as providing support for their families and carers.

Patients come from across the hospice’s catchment area, which ranges from Ashby de la Zouch and Atherstone in the east, to Cannock and Walsall in the west – and from Burton and Uttoxeter in the north, to Sutton Coldfield and Coleshill in the south.

Care is offered either at the hospice in Whittington, near Lichfield, or in patients’ own homes across the region.

The running costs for St Giles Hospice are over £5 million each year. With just a third of this funded by the Government, the registered charity relies heavily on donations and fundraising – including proceeds from the St Giles Hospice Lottery and network of 14 hospice charity shops.