Song honouring Welsh mother with dementia set to be performed at prestigious charity Christmas concert

Song honouring Welsh mother with dementia set to

be performed at prestigious charity Christmas concert

Singer-songwriter Andy Huntley and his family from Bridgend in South Wales have set themselves the ambitious target of raising £100,000 for charity. Andy’s close-knit family were inspired to raise money for Alzheimer’s Society Cymru following his mother Ceri’s diagnosis at 64 with Alzheimer’s disease, two years ago. To launch their fundraising, Andy released the deeply moving single Find Yourself. The acoustic version of the song has now racked up almost half a million views online.

 Alzheimer’s Society Cymru were so moved by the song that Andy has been asked to perform Find Yourself at Alzheimer’s Society’s prestigious Carols at Christmas concert at Southwark Cathedral, London on Wednesday 15 December, which will take place virtually this year. Fellow Welshman Sir Jonathan Pryce CBE is presenting the evening, with a host of celebrities in attendance including Grace Dent, Lesley Manville CBE and Ed Balls. 

Andy’s brother, the award-winning film director Simon Huntley filmed the video in Blaengarw, near Ceri’s childhood home, which was particularly poignant for the brothers, as they lost their Grandmother and Grandfather to dementia too. Find Yourself also features beautiful vocals by Simon’s wife Shelly and footage of their children looking at images with their Nan Ceri, when she was young. The London Welsh Male Voice Choir also make an appearance, as the choir’s ambassador, presenter Sian Lloyd is a great supporter. Find yourself was co-written with Lauren L’aimant.

Andy said: “I am really looking forward to the Carols at Christmas concert, sharing the song I wrote for my mother Ceri means the world me. It’s such an honour to be performing for Sir Jonathan Pryce too, it’s not every day you hear an Oscar winner talk about a song you have written. Particularly a song that is so close to our heart as a family.

Watching Mum going from being an outgoing, sociable person, to slowly disappearing before our eyes, has been heart breaking. The song and our fundraising target, has given us all something positive to focus on as a family, by raising much needed funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s Society Cymru. From day one the charity has offered help and advice on all aspects of my mother’s care and wellbeing. They have been on the other end of the phone for regular calls and check ins with my Dad, who is now Mum’s primary carer.”

 Andy and his family have already raised thousands of pounds towards their total to support people living with dementia in the first few months of their campaign. They have also received fundraising support from the Bridgend Fire Service who held a fundraising car wash and Shelly staged a fashion show locally. The family have many more events planned over the coming months.

Alzheimer’s Society Cymru, Community Fundraiser, Jess Bowring welcomed Andy and his family’s decision to help raise money for the charity. She said: 

“We’re so grateful to Andy and his family for everything they’re doing to raise funds and awareness.  The song has really touched people affected by dementia, particularly as Andy wrote the song for his Mum, Ceri. We were delighted when Andy agreed to perform the song at our Carols at Christmas concert at Southwark Cathedral

“People with dementia have been worst hit by coronavirus, accounting for over a quarter of all deaths. It’s never been more important to support the 50,000 people living with dementia in Wales.  With the continued support and generosity of supporters like Andy and his family, Alzheimer’s Society Cymru can make sure people get the information and support they need, through vital services like our Dementia Connect support line.”

You can support Andy and his family’s fundraising here and purchase virtual tickets to Carols at Christmas on the Alzheimer’s Society website here.