THE soaring voices of students Sophie, Sally, Jo and Amelia were the highpoint of this year’s Treloar’s gala dinner.

The event took place last month at Mansion House, the Lord Mayor’s residence in London, and raised a recordbreaking £48,000.

The students were, as usual, helped to prepare for the event by the Holybourne school’s head of music, Jocelyn Watkins, who always enjoys taking them to perform in the prestigious venue.

She said: “Students and staff had a fantastic time performing at our Mansion House event this year. Sophie, Sally, Jo and Amelia performed four songs for the Lord Mayor and a large audience.

“A huge amount of hard work and effort had gone into this event and it was all worth it with one of our best performances ever.

This year, with the help of its assistive technology team, Treloar’s was also able to showcase its unique JACO robot arm, which can be controlled via a standard power wheelchair and has 16 different movements, three flexible fingers, and the ability to reach the floor.

The annual fundraising event was this year hosted by Alderman Dr Andrew Parmley, the Lord Mayor of the City of London. This money will help buy equipment and support a number of projects on the Treloar’s assistive technology department’s ‘wish list’.

Roger J Southam, chairman of Treloar’s gala dinner, said: “It was a fabulous evening with warmth and generosity to the aims and needs of Treloar’s and we are humbled by the generosity of the livery and supporters.”