Côr Cyswllt Cilycwm

A successful concert held by Côr Cyswllt Cilycwm has raised an incredible £5,000 for two important causes.

The ‘Happy Tent’ event, which saw a variety of local artists perform as well as well-known names, Nigel Owens and Gillian Elisa, was held a day after the wedding of the daughter of the choir members Emyr and Heulwen.

The choir’s secretary Carol Dyer said: “They offered the marquee for us to arrange a fundraiser and the choir accepted the invitation. We wanted local artists but also felt that we needed one or two more famous artists and Nigel Owens and Gillian Elisa answered our call.”

The fundraiser, which was held in Clynmawr, Rhamdirmwyn, was in aid of the Wales Air Ambulance and Friends of Llandovery Hospital -Ffrindiau Ysbyty Llanymddyfr.

As well as entertainment, the event included food, music and a bar. The choir successfully sold 200 tickets, which were priced at £15 each for adults, whilst children could enjoy the entertainment for free. 

Carol said: “Local businesses were very generous with their sponsorship and covered all our costs.

All artists were very kind – lowering their rates or not charging at all.”

Wales Air Ambulance is consultant-led, taking hospital-standard treatments to the patient and, if required, transferring them directly to the most appropriate hospital for their illness or injury. For the patient, this can mean hours saved when compared to standard care and is proven to greatly improve survival and early recovery. 

This advanced critical care includes the ability to administer anaesthesia, deliver blood transfusions and conduct minor operations, all at the scene of an incident. 

As a pan-Wales service, its dedicated crews, regardless of where they are based, will travel the length and breadth of the country to deliver emergency lifesaving care. 

The group decided to support the Wales Air Ambulance as it was a ‘Charity of Choice’ for most of the group.

The Wales Air Ambulance needs to raise £11.2 million every ensure to keep its helicopters in the air and its rapid response vehicles on the road.

Mike May, the Charity’s Regional Fundraising Manager for Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire said: “It was wonderful to hear that the choir were gifted the use of the marquee for free, following a wedding the day before – it was so generous. The popular fundraiser sounded like a wonderful evening of entertainment, which raised an amazing £5,000 for two important causes.

“Thank you for fundraising for the Wales Air Ambulance. Donations, like these ones, will help us to continue to be there for the people of Wales when they need us most.

“The Charity relies on donations to be able to continue to provide our lifesaving service for the people of Wales by air or by road. Thank you to everyone that played their own part in raising funds for the Wales Air Ambulance.”