Belting out a tune to support mental health
If you’ve ever dreamed of belting out a song at Gore Park without getting strange looks, now’s your chance.
Hamilton teenager Lennox Tidgwell, 15, is wrapping up his two weekends of Kringles Carols and Karaoke at the park on Saturday. It’s all being done as a fundraiser for the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Hamilton branch — those who make a donation are invited to go to the microphone and sing.
Lennox last appeared singing at Gore Park at Christmas in 2015. Back then, he was singing his heart out to spread Christmas cheer and raise money for local food bank Neighbour to Neighbour (N2N) Centre — which once assisted his parents.
This time, it’s in memory of Lara Sweet, and for those who struggle with mental-health issues.
Lara is the daughter of David Sweet, Conservative MP for Flamborough-Glanbrook. She died from suicide in August at age 23.
Lennox met Lara and the Sweets through the Brassie Pub Sunday karaokes in Ancaster. He and his parents are big fans of karaoke, which David Sweet says is also an “institution of sorts” for his family.
Lennox met Lara there this past summer when she was home for a visit and they sang together, says his mother Aurora. He was devastated at the news of her death, she adds.
Sweet said his family often invites Lennox to sing with them, and Lennox regularly invites Sweet’s sons to sing some songs by Queen with him.
“Lennox is a fine young man and a great singer,” says Sweet. “He has sung with our family on a number of occasions.
“I’m very appreciative of his efforts to not only raise awareness of mental-health issues, but also to raise resources for the Canadian Mental Health Association,” he added.
Lennox, a Westmount high school student, says “Mental health is one burden everyone has dealt with at one time or another … We’ve lost some friends due to mental health issues.”
The carols and karaoke take place Friday, 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, 3 to 7 p.m.