A Cornish acapella male singing group have continued their support for good causes in Cornwall by raising £6,000 for the child bereavement support charity, Penhaligon’s Friends.
Oll an Gwella, which is Cornish for ‘all the best’, was formed 15 years ago from members of Newquay Male Voice Choir. The group’s repertoire of over 100 Cornish, folk, nautical and shanty song has proven very popular, and they perform at numerous events each year.
The group ask for a donation from the event they perform at for specific local Cornish charities that they adopt annually.
Rob Spowart from Oll an Gwella said:
“Donations from events, with the addition the money raised from our three recorded albums means that so far, we’ve raised more than £55,000 for local charities including Cornwall Blood Bikes, local RNLI stations and Cove Macmillan Support Centre.
“We now like to support smaller volunteer-led local Cornish charities and recognise the important work that Penhaligon’s Friends undertakes with bereaved children in our community.”
Penhaligon’s Friends has provided specialist support to children across Cornwall who have lost a loved one since it was established in 1995. Since then, they have supported thousands of families facing the difficulties that bereavement can present.
Julie Parker, Chief Executive of Penhaligon’s Friends said:
“We are so grateful to Oll an Gwella for choosing to support Penhaligon’s Friends. The funds they have raised for us so far will cover the costs of the three special memory days that we will run this year.
“The children we work with tell us that they find it helpful meeting other children who have gone through a similar experience. Our memory days do this and are filled with activities to help children and young people who attend, aged from four to eighteen, to explore the feelings that people have when someone dies. It’s a day where it’s OK to have fun, laugh or cry."
Oll an Gwella have a busy schedule including a 1.30pmperformance on Saturday 4th May at Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm as part of the Cornwall International Male Choral Festival and Saturday 18th May at 12.00 noon they’ll be taking to the stage at Newquay Harbour’s Mini Shanty Festival. The group will also appear on Thursday 6th June at this year’s Royal Cornwall Show and have been invited to play on Sunday 11th August at Boardmasters Festival.
- A full list of forthcoming performances can be found by visiting ollangwella.co.uk
For more information about Penhaligon’s Friend visit penhaligonsfriends.org.uk
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