Extraordinary concert raises funds in memory of Eleanor
We are always deeply thankful to many of our community who raise funds for Encephalitis International in a variety of ways. Earlier this year, on the 9th February 2025, Peter and Kathy Haigh in partnership with the Masquerade and Belcanto Ladies Choirs organised a fundraising concert at Kettering Arts Centre to raise funds in memory of Eleanor Haigh, Peter and Kathy’s daughter.
What follows below is a short report Peter and Kathy kindly share.
We lost our beloved daughter Eleanor, our only child, on 2 September 2022, at the age of twenty six, five days after being diagnosed with encephalitis.
Since that awful time, we have received incredible support from both Encephalitis International and The Compassionate Friends.
Ava, Philippa, Calum and the whole team are just amazing.
They provided much needed information and helped us understand what had happened. We have attended EI events, heard experiences from survivors and bonded with those who have also lost a loved one to this devastating illness.
Subsequently, we want to do anything we can to support the amazing work of both charities, to help other families affected by encephalitis and parents who have lost a child.
Eleanor grew up singing with two local award winning choirs. Masquerade Choir all through primary and secondary school, then in VIth form also with Belcanto Ladies Choir, both choirs having the same local legendary musical director.
She continued to sing with Belcanto when home from university and subsequently when work commitments allowed her to come home for a concert.
Eleanor loved her ‘choir families’, making many special friends, some of whom sang at her Service of Thanksgiving, and had so many wonderful experiences with both choirs.
With Masquerade she enjoyed taking part in Llangollen International Eisteddfod Festival and winning three times, winning BBC Radio 3 Children’s Choir of the Year and performing at London’s Cadogan Hall. She sang with Masquerade on the first album released by a choir member after she reached the final of Britain’s Got Talent.
Belcanto have been a winner at Llangollen International Eisteddfod, North Wales Choral Festival and runner-up at the Manchester Amateur Choral Competition.
On 11 July 2015, after Belcanto’s success at Llangollen Eisteddfod, Eleanor wrote, ‘I can officially say I’m a member of the ladies’ choir of the world and I couldn’t be prouder!’
There were trips abroad with both choirs, to Disneyland Paris, San Francisco and New York.
Masquerade and Belcanto kindly agreed to perform a fundraising concert in Eleanor’s memory on Sunday 9 February 2025, in the beautiful venue that is Kettering Arts Centre situated within the Victorian St Andrew’s Church.
Their concerts are always excellent, but that afternoon was truly exceptional. Both choirs really pulled out all the stops. You could feel the love for Eleanor. The concert was a sell–out and people were queuing to try and buy tickets on the door.
We were so pleased and thankful that Calum from the Encephalitis International team was able to join us. Calum spoke movingly about the beginnings and work of EI.
Several people spoke to him at the end of the concert about their experiences of encephalitis.
As a result of the concert, we are delighted to be able to donate £2500 to both Encephalitis International and The Compassionate Friends.
Eleanor was such a vibrant personality and lived life to the full. We promised ourselves that her loss would not define us, that we would celebrate her life and memory. It’s so hard, but we think we’re doing her proud.
Peter and Kathy
The Encephalitis International fundraising team would like to thank Peter, Kathy, the choirs and all those who kindly donated at the event in support of our work.
Reading this, if you are interested in fundraising for us or support our work, please contact: fundraising@encephalitis.info