Stars Cerys and Sarah help save charity event

A CHARITY event in danger of being left with no entertainment when a band pulled out got help from US comedian Sarah Silverman and Welsh musician Cerys Matthews to find a replacement.

Cardiff-based George Thomas Hospice was holding a thank-you party for all its volunteers on Sunday – but the event was left high and dry after the band pulled out at the last minute.

The charity put out an appeal on Twitter to try to find a replacement at short notice, but little did they know they would receive the help of international stars.

Writing on the social networking site, George Thomas Hospice said: “HELP! Unfortunately, the band due to play at our volunteers’ party this Sunday afternoon have let us down. Do you know a live band? Pls RT.”

American comedian and actress Silverman, partner of Welsh actor Michael Sheen, responded to the plea by reposting the message on her timeline to her 11.4 million followers.

In her tweet, she said: “Rad bands of the Cardiff area who’s gonna save the day?”.

Former Catatonia singer and BBC Radio 6 presenter Matthews also got in on the act by reposting the hospice’s original message.

She tweeted: “Band needed urgently – Cardiff @GTHC_Cardiff. Can you help? Xxx”.

Luckily, Matt Callanan – member of local organisation We Make Good Happen – was able to get four singers together, including Rebecca Hurn who won best single at the Cardiff Music Awards this year.

The day itself went off without a hitch and the replacement singers went down a storm among the volunteers who also received thank you cards and roses from children at Acorns Nursery as well as 70 knitted daffodils made by Syrian refugee Roushn Wlo.

Alex Fagan, of George Thomas Hospice, said: “A huge thank you to Matt and the team from We Make Good Happen for their help at this year’s volunteer thank you party. They added lovely finishing touches such as gifts and thank you cards and connected us with brilliant singers.”

Volunteer Jen Humphreys who attended the event said: “It was brilliant: the music, the flowers, the thank you notes from the children and especially the daffodils. Fabulous afternoon – everybody loved it.”

Visit www.gthc.org.uk for more information about George Thomas Hospice.