Victims of war and a devastating earthquake have been given a helping hand by concertgoers in Farnham.

The annual series of free concerts and lunches at St Thomas-on-the-Bourne in aid of Christian Aid has raised more than £4,800 for the good cause.

The main recipients of the programme organised by Sari Smith will be people in Sudan and South Sudan, with both countries suffering from famine and conflict in recent years.

But proceeds from the third concert in the series will go to the Christian Aid Emergency Appeal for earthquake relief in Myanmar. The charity will ensure the money gets through to its intended recipients, and not the ruling junta.

The first concert featured a very familiar face as Farnham town mayor, Cllr Brodie Mauluka, showed off his rousing and skilled guitar playing.

The second featured young choristers and talented musicians from King Edwards School in Witley, while the third was a “most enjoyable” classical recital with Marjorie Carrington, Mikhail Lezdkan and Amy Muller impressing on the oboe, cello and piano, respectively.

The series concluded with a superb concert given by four young singers – Phoebe, Bethany, April and Ana. The quartet are current head girl chorister, her immediate predecessor, another predecessor, and a deputy head chorister from nine years ago, respectively.

The four have 32 years experience in St Thomas Girls Choir between them while George, a young choir tenor, also contributed with a stunning performance on the piano.

The singers were accompanied by Charlotte Hobbs, who stood in at the last moment, with the final concert directed by James Harrison raising an amazing £2,700 towards the final total.

Anitha Santharaj, Christian Aid church engagement and fundraising officer for Surrey, Hampshire and Isle of Wight, also gave a brief talk before thanking Sari and everyone involved in the concerts.