Newbury and Tadley choir VoxSonix release fundraising video in memory of Dylan Milsom

A VIRTUAL choir has been spreading some positivity and raising money for a cause close to their hearts at the same time.

VoxSonix, the Newbury and Tadley choir at the centre of the initiative, has recorded a colourful video version of The Beatles song ‘Here Comes the Sun’ in memory of Dylan Milsom, the three-year-old boy who died after falling into the Kennet and Avon Canal in March.

Money raised by the song will go towards creating an outdoor play area at Chieveley Pre-School, which Dylan attended.

Within 24 hours of the video’s launch last week, more than £1,000 had already been raised, which sees the pre-school’s fundraising target now reached.

The choir chose to support the pre-school’s fundraising efforts after it was suggested by Shelley Nardini, Dylan’s mother and a member of VoxSonix herself.

Kat Penn, who founded the choir, said: “I wanted a chilled out, summery vibe for the song and this is a song I have loved since I was little.

“The singers have really pushed themselves out of their comfort zone.

“They have nailed and they have never done anything like this before. They have really got behind the positivity of the whole thing.

“Shelley has said that Dylan was such a ray of sunshine in their lives and she loves it.”

The choir – who recorded their own videos and vocals, which were then pulled together by Ms Penn – are all wearing tops in Dylan’s favourite bright colours.

His pre-school friends also got involved and sing the opening lines to the song too.

More than 80 people joined in the vocals, with around 70 people videoed in small groups in the sunshine or singing from home.

"We want this virtual performance to uplift people, to give the people of Newbury a vehicle to express themselves, and to inspire people to donate to a cause to continue to bring Dylan’s sunshine to the community in which he was so happy with his friends,” Ms Penn added.

"If our video has brought some sunshine to your day, please donate to continue enabling Dylan’s friends to have sunshine in theirs."