A festive evening of community singing in Clydach aims to raise crucial funds for families fleeing conflict in Africa this Christmas.
Festive Fundraiser Details
Churches Together Clydach will host its annual festival of carols at St Benedict’s Church in the town. The event is scheduled for Monday, December 8, beginning at 7pm. The musical highlight of the night will be performances by the popular Gwaun Cae Gurwen Band.
Admission is priced at £5 for adults and £2 for children, with refreshments included in the ticket cost. Organisers are encouraging local residents to come along and join in with the communal singing to celebrate the season.
Where The Money Goes
All proceeds from the concert will be donated equally to two charities: the Christian Aid Christmas Appeal and CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development). This year, Christian Aid's campaign is shining a light on the severe plight of millions forced from their homes due to violent conflict.
The appeal specifically focuses on the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the largest nation in sub-Saharan Africa. Families there have been displaced by fighting between numerous armed groups and government forces.
These displaced communities now endure life in overcrowded, unsanitary, makeshift camps with severely limited access to essentials like food, clean water, and electricity.
Supporting Vital Work on the Ground
Christian Aid, which has worked with local partners in the DRC since the 1970s, is currently aiding people in camps and villages who had to abandon their homes. The funds raised will support their partners' work, which includes:
- Providing cash assistance for essential supplies like food, medicine, and bedding.
- Improving access to clean, safe water.
- Offering specialised support for survivors of rape and gender-based violence.
Event organiser Alan Cram of Cytun expressed hope for a strong turnout. "Last year's event raised more than £500, split between Christian Aid and CAFOD," he said. "We’re hoping to see lots of people come along to enjoy some Christmas carols and raise a similar amount this year."
The community carol festival represents a chance for Clydach residents to embrace the Christmas spirit while directly contributing to life-changing humanitarian assistance for some of the world's most vulnerable people.
