2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Tenby Male Choir raised £2,000 for Wales Air Ambulance
Tenby Male Choir's recent concert at St Mary's Church in Tenby raised £2,000 for the Wales Air Ambulance, with around 250 people in attendance.
Anthony 'Tony' Key, OBE, aged 79, is the choir's MC and a former regional fundraising manager for the air ambulance.
Mr Key said: "We have performed 13 concerts so far, seven of which have been fundraisers for charities and good causes.
"We have raised £7,000 and have a few more events ahead."
On the latest concert, he said: "We packed out St Mary's, around 250 people supported our event in aid of Wales Air Ambulance.
"The atmosphere was electric.
"We raised £2,000, that's the most we have ever raised at just one concert.
"We only charge £10 per person and children under 16 go free, so we are delighted to be able to donate so much."
Mr Key said it means a great deal to support the Wales Air Ambulance once again.
He said: "I am hugely proud to be connected with the charity.
"I worked for the air ambulance for five years before stepping down in 2016 to have more family time.
"We live in such a rural part of Wales, so if something serious happens to you, your best hope is the onboard clinicians.
"The service brings all the expertise that you would find in an emergency department to your doorstep or roadside.
"I am so pleased that we have been able to support this incredible cause."
The Wales Air Ambulance relies on public donations to raise the £11.2 million needed each year to keep its helicopters flying and rapid response vehicles on the road.
Mike May, regional fundraising manager for South West Wales, said: "Congratulations to all the Tenby Male Choir members on your amazing milestone.
"We are delighted that as you celebrate your 50th anniversary, you have chosen us as one of the beneficiaries of your fundraising.
"We'd like to extend a big thank you to all those who took part in the concert in aid of us and the generous supporters who attended on the night.
"£2,000 is an incredible amount and every pound raised will help save lives."
The choir opened the concert with the Welsh hymn Rachie, originally sung during the First World War, which Mr Key dedicated to the 'loyal and brave' pilots and clinicians of the air ambulance service.
He said: "It's been so wonderful to bring together two things I am hugely passionate about, my singing and the amazing work of the Wales Air Ambulance."
The choir's 50th anniversary concert will take place on September 4 at the De Valence Pavilion, with special guests including president Wynne Evans and feature choir Bella Voce.
