Oban charities sing choirs’ praises at cheque presentation
A charity beating heart disease and a garden project in Oban have both received cash boosts thanks to some of the area’s finest voices, writes Kathie Griffiths.
More than £600 was raised at a Choirs and Candles event at St John’s cathedral last month as part of the town’s Winter Festival programme and the proceeds have now been split between Greenshoots at Glencruitten and ABCD charity – Argyll Beats Cardiovascular Disease.
This was the third time the event has been organised to help good causes in the area. Others who have benefited so far have included the Dove Centre, Riding for the Disabled and a dementia group.
Choirs taking part in the 2019 concert included Oban Gaelic Choir, Taynuilt Gaelic Choir, Lorn Chorus, Bach Choir, Oban Community Singers, Sequence Choir and Rockfield Primary School Choir.
Oban Gaelic Choir president Mary Catherine MacLean said more than 600 people turned up to support this year’s concert with standing room left only.
‘The first year we had about 200 people in the audience and it’s grown since then. It’s a great opportunity for all the choirs from around the town to come and sing in all their different styles together, doing good for the community too.’
Catriona Petit from Greenshoots said their share of the proceeds would help the project make a difference to more lives, adding: ‘We have seen amazing transformations in people’s lives by them coming and working with us in the garden. This money will help us keep up that work. It’s greatly appreciated.’
And Andy Henderson from ABCD said: ‘This adds to the funds we have and the money we are spending on beating cardiovascular disease in our area. We’ve been very busy working on outdoor projects with schools encouraging young people to get active and get into a habit that we hope will last along time into their adult lives.’