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A voluntary music group formed during Covid is helping East Cheshire Hospice.
Open Strings perform for dementia patients at the Sunflower Living Well Centre and events supporting the charity.
An alpaca farm in Disley was the unlikely setting for the string players to set up their informal group.
The pandemic had put a stop to gatherings at Macclesfield Music Centre where most were members.
Open Strings performing in support of East Cheshire Hospice.
Violinist Nick Cheetham said: “One of our group, Lindsay Pulley, had an alpaca farm where we played under a gazebo in a field two metres apart after the rules were relaxed.
“We were social distanced and in a well-ventilated area. We sat there playing to alpacas and rehearsing for our own amusement.”
Nick’s wife Kate has been a volunteer receptionist at the Hospice for the last 10 years.
Open Strings have also performed at a Memory Tree garden party and the Treacle Market.
Alpacas are treated to a rehearsal by musicians from Open Strings.
Nick said: “Music is very powerful and moves people. It also provides a backdrop for conversation.
“People enjoy it and we love playing music for them. We do it for fun and are delighted to raise money for the Hospice at Christmas.
“Macclesfield Music Centre is a wonderful place to come together to learn to play music. There are tiny tots all the way through to people in their 80s and 90s.”
The other members of Open Strings are Sheila Garton, Andrea Waterson, Roger Whitehead, Simon Broady, Avril Mason and Lindsay Pulley.
The group also has its own Facebook page Open Strings (Macclesfield).