A NEW Borders singing group hopes to raise the roof when they join forces with three other choirs in Edinburgh.

Members of The Borders Cheyne Gang, which launched in January, will make their performing debuts as part of Sing for Joy in the captial tomorrow (Saturday).

The new Tweed Valley-based group, which was created at the end of last year to help people who suffer with breathlessness conditions, is affiliated to the Cheyne Gang in Edinburgh - a charity which helps people to manage their conditions through singing.

All of the members in both Edinburgh and the Borders have long term health conditions which cause breathlessness in their everyday lives.

By coming to the groups and singing together, participants have the opportunity to learn better breathing techniques as well as benefit from a gentle physical workout and a lot of fun, along with a lot of laughter, socialising and over a cuppa.

Voice coach Julie Harvey is excited about the debut performance. She told us: “The group has been very popular over the first four sessions and between 15 to 20 people have attended, even in the recent wintry weather.

“The group has been busy preparing songs with the other Edinburgh-based Cheyne Gang Groups to form a larger choir.

“A particular exciting aspect of the concert is that the Cheyne Gang will be performing two brand new compositions one of which ‘Love will find a voice’ has been written for them by Kathy Stewart Kennedy - a local singer songwriter.

“It has already become an anthem and a firm favourite for the Cheyne Gang and they hope to make a recording of the song soon.

“The Cheyne Gang will also be performing a song by Karine Polwart, ‘Welcome into the House’ which was composed for the Scotland Sings project - a range of contemporary folk songs influenced by Robert Burns.”

Joining the Cheyne Gang for the forthcoming concert are the Traquair Choir, plus South Queensferry community choir Ferry Blend, and a visiting choir from the Republic of Ireland, the Knockainey Community Choir. The finale of the concert will see the four groups performing together and with the audience.

Tickets are £10 and the concert will take place on Saturday at 3pm in St John’s Church, Princes Street, Edinburgh. For more information, go to: www.thecheynegang.com