SINGERS from the Kentwood Show Choir is tuning up for its annual show which takes place at The Wyvern Theatre on Saturday.

This year the Kentwood Showcase is raising money for the Swindon and District Branch of Parkinsons UK - a particularly poignant choice for the choir's founder and artistic director, Sheila Harrod, as her husband Chris has been diagnosed with Parkinsons.

"It is a particularly horrible illness so we hope people will give generously in the buckets,'' said Sheila.

In the UK one person in every 500 has Parkinson's and there is no cure, only treatment for symptoms, but the charity funds research into finding a cure, and also gives support and encouragement to sufferers, helping them to take control of the condition and live their lives to the full.

Sheila and Chris met at a dance at the McIlroys ballroom and their first date was to visit Littlecote House in Hungerford. Since their marriage in 1967 Chris has given his full support to Sheila's dream of creating a quality choir that would give joy to generations of singers and countless audiences.

"I wouldn't say I was second to her music but I didn't have a chance to say no to it,'' said Chris.

Kentwood started in 1964 with five girls gathered in Sheila's parents' front room and it has now blossomed into a well-respected choir that names jazz queen Dame Cleo Laine as its patron.

"Two of the original girls, Kathy Hobson and Lydia Gough are still singing in the choir, and many members have given me more than 40 years service,'' said Sheila.

This year the Kentwood Show Choir is enjoying a makeover from new sponsors, Screaming Media, who will also be tackling the promotion of the Summer Youth Project this summer.

"They are giving us a new image to bring us up to date, with a new brand and new website,'' said Sheila.

Earlier sponsors of the choir include Isis Construction Ltd, Innogy plc, Royal Bank of Scotland, British Telecom and Handy Garden Machinery.

The choir has notched up some prestigious gigs over the years including singing sat the American bi-centennial celebrations in Disneyland, California, appearing on TV's Opportunity Knocks and coming third, the Junior Choir appeared at the London Palladium for three months in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, in 1992 they took part in the Royal Variety Show, and they joined Cleo Laine and John Dankworth at the Golden Jubilee concert in the Royal Albert Hall. The choir's TV appearances included Songs of Praise and Noel Edmond's House Party for the BBC.

The Kentwood Showcase which has performed at The Wyvern for more than 50 years, starts at 7.30pm on Saturday.

Accompanying the choir will be the Little Big Band under the direction of West End musical director Paul Maguire. Tickets are £14 from 01793 524481.