Charity choir aims to help Dublin families in need

SOME of Dublin’s most talented vocalists and musicians will perform a feast of music and song over two weekends this month in a bid to raise

?¬30,000 to support families in need across the city.

Funds raised from concerts in three venues over two weekends will go to the Community Care Foundation, a charity founded in 2010 by the staff of Massey Bros Funeral Directors.

Under the baton of musical director Damian Gallagher, and featuring soloists like Kelly Hannon, Barbara Galvin, Fidelma Kelly and Sharon Lyons, the Friends of Hope choir will present a rich tapestry of musical delights including unforgettable numbers from stage and screen and a selection from the Irish and classical repertoire.

The talented choir will also perform some stunning original compositions in front of an estimated audience of more than 2,000 people.

The first concert will take place at 8.30 pm on Sunday, May 19 at St Mary’s Priory, Tallaght, the second at 8pm on Friday, May 24 at Lady of Victory Church, Ballymun and the third at 8pm on Sunday, May 26 at Christ the King Church, Cabra.

Founders of Community Care Foundation, Rodney O’Connor and Paul English, said they’ve been overwhelmed by the level of support from singers and musicians right across Dublin.

“Without the commitment and enthusiasm of the staff of Massey Bros and the professional singers and musicians involved we would not be in a position to be able to put together such an ambitious series of concerts,

? they said.

“Little did we think three years ago when we set up the charity that we would be performing in front of thousands of people raising thousands of euro for families in need.

“The money we have raised to date has benefitted people who are experiencing unimaginable difficulties and for many it has literally changed their lives.

?

The charity choir’s roots took hold following a radio chat show about people and families struggling to make ends meat.

The show highlighted how some Dublin families hadn’t enough money left to buy food after trying to pay off mortgage, credit card, phone and utility bills.

English and O’Connor heard the show and the cry for help from the families and decided to get together and ask their Massey Bros colleagues to consider donating money to help.

The response was overwhelming and the duo set out to try and find needy families in local communities around Dublin. First call was to parish priests who were only too happy to help with the cause.

After helping a small number of families in 2010 the lads officially set up the charity and decided to hold a concert. Soloist Gifford Whittle and musician and composer Damian Gallagher agreed to help and the concert raised over

?¬7,000.

Now into its four series of concerts and having raised

?¬58,000, the foundation has set an ambitious target of

?¬30,000 for this month’s three performances.

Tickets priced

?¬10 for adults and

?¬5 for children under 12 are available on the door at each of the concerts or by calling the Community Care Foundation on 085-7122732.