DOZENS of young singers gathered for a charity concert in aid of a young Darlington girl battling a brain tumour.

The Thank You for the Music event, held at The Forum, in Darlington, was arranged by singing tutor Viveca Bradshaw, who brought together 52 of her private pupils for a day of music.

The annual event this year supported the Marie Curie Nurses and Vienna Barras, an Abbey School pupil, who is battling a brain tumour.

Vienna took to the stage to sing three songs as part of the event, the first time she has performed in public.

Ms Bradshaw said she has yet to count the donations, but estimated that up to £2,770 had been raised for the two good causes. It is hoped that some of the money will be used to buy a real hair wig for Vienna.

She said: “It was a fantastic day and we were full to capacity at each of the two sessions we held. We had more than 52 singers across the day including Vienna and her uncle, Sam Mollinson, who is a professional singer.

“I had a lovely text from Vienna’s mum, who said she was overwhelmed and exhausted but it was an amazing thing to see her get up and sing.”

The event, always involving Ms Bradshaw’s pupils, has raised thousands for different charities in recent years, including Age UK Darlington and the Teenage Cancer Trust.