A SPECIAL performance of the St John Passion will be performed in Crediton Parish Church on Saturday, February 15 at 6pm in aid of Second Sight, a charity which works to eradicate and prevent blindness in Bihar, North East India.

The performance of J.S. Bach’s magnificent choral work has been organised by local music teacher, Francisca van Holthoon who, with the help of conductor Tina Guthrie, has brought together musicians from Devon and the Netherlands.

"We have a wonderful choir of seasoned singers, an orchestra and a team of soloists who are all willing to perform for free, so that all proceeds can go to Second Sight, a zero overheads, UK based charity I have supported for 15 years", explained Francisca.

"The Crediton-based solicitors firm Gilbert Stephens has generously offered to contribute towards the expenses."

The St John Passion tells the story of Jesus’ capture, trial and crucifixion as recounted in the Gospel of St John.

It was written by J.S. Bach during his first year as director of church music in Leipzig and was first performed more than 300 years ago, on April 7, 1724.

Tickets are £12 per person (children/ students free) and are available from: ticketsource.co.uk/creditonartscentre or on the door.

All proceeds will be used to cure blind people in Bihar, where £20 is all it takes to cure one patient blind with cataract. This includes transportation to and from hospital.

More information about Second Sight can be found at: secondsight.org.uk.

The charity was founded by opthalmologist Lucy Mathen, a former TV journalist.

In 2000 Dr Mathen found hospitals in Bihar full of expensive equipment funded by international charities, but no or too few eye surgeons in areas in which cataract blindness was endemic.

Now, the charity works with small and medium-sized hospitals and clinics.