By Angela Warhurst ORGANISERS of a major fund-raising concert are hoping to hit the high notes for a leading charity.

Fund-raisers from the North-west branch of the Stroke Association are staging a gala concert at Manchester's Bridgewater Hall on Saturday, May 30.

Organisers have already pledged to donate £10,000 of the proceeds to the pioneering stroke unit at Salford's Hope Hospital. Manchester Camerata, Manchester Boys' Choir and soprano Kate Flowers will be conducted by Edward Warren in a varied programme of popular classics, including a "Last Night of the Proms" feature.

Money raised from the concert will be used to buy essential equipment to measure patients' movement in the Stroke Association's Therapy Research Unit at Hope Hospital.

The Stroke Association has already contributed £500,000 towards financing the unit.

The unit was officially opened last year by the Association's patron, HRH The Duke of Kent.

Research into stroke therapy is in its infancy and the unit is in a collaborative venture with several organisations.

They include the University of Manchester, Central Manchester Healthcare Trust's School of Physiotherapy and Salford Royal Hospitals NHS Trust's Rehabilitation Services.

Tickets for the concert are available from the Bridgewater Hall box office on 0161-907 9000.

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