The extraordinary efforts of a community and its representatives saw hundreds of people return from afar to the Rhondda to enjoy a spectacular charity concert with Rebecca Evans.
The ever-popular opera singer performed to a packed Rhondda Sports Centre in Tylorstown this month, bringing together hundreds of people and raising a staggering £8,000 for charity.
The Gala Concert evening is the sixth of its kind to be organised for the Rhondda Fach, with the event going from strength to strength each year.
Supported and organised by the Pendryrus Male Choir, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Communities First, the event was such a success due to the commitment of officers, volunteers and sponsors.
Thanks to their generosity with their time and donations, the evening was concluded with an impressive cheque presentation, which saw £4000 donated to the Mayor’s Charity Appeal in aid of Help for Heroes, Macmillan Cancer Support and Diabetes UK (Cymru) and £4000 towards charities supported by Rebecca Evans.
Organisers wish to thank sponsors including Costain, RCT Homes, NAPIT and Devonalds Solicitors, without whom such a donation would not have been possible.
Another added spectacle to the event was the performance of local schoolchildren who won a recent competition, Last Choir Standing, organised across RCT by Pendyrus Male Choir.
They were praised for their “first-class” contribution on the evening, delivering a performance that was something to behold thanks to their professional presentation and outstanding vocals.
All schools that took part in the competition that led to the eventual winners performing on the evening were commended for their efforts.
Cyril Jones, who has been on the organizing committee of the event for the last six years, said: “This was truly a sensational evening of music and its success was down to the many staff and volunteers who have worked hard to deliver such an event.
“This is the sixth year we have held a Gala Concert evening and it gets bigger and better every year. We only had to look at the size of the audience that was attracted to the Rhondda Fach, from across Wales and beyond.
“A huge thank you must go to those who have put in many hours to organise the event, working to transform a sports hall into an auditorium suitable for such a prestigious evening. We have created something very special, here in our community.”
Mayor Cllr Robert Smith concluded: “I thoroughly enjoyed the evening, thanks to the incredible talent we were fortunate enough to see performing in Tylorstown.
“Rebecca Evans, as ever, was outstanding and the support she was shown by the schoolchildren, Pendryrus Male Choir and the compere made for a sparkling evening.
“The icing on the cake has to be the staggering charity donations myself and Rebecca Evans will be able to make, thanks to the generosity of the community, the organisers and the sponsors.”
