Award winning Pontyridd Male Voice Choir to raise the roof in Shrewsbury
An award winning choir will be raising the roof in aid of an overseas education project that is supported by Shropshire residents.
Friends of Conakry Refugee School (FCRS) is fundraising so that all pupils at the school in Guinea, West Africa can get a hot midday meal.
Next month Pontyridd Male Voice Choir will be performing in concert, in Shrewsbury, as part of efforts to generate funds keep the school dinners running at the school which has 500 pupils on roll.
FCRS director Angie Saganowska explains that a recent visit by the friends' to Conakry reinforced members view that it was important that the work continues.
"We currently provide funding of around £100 per day to pay for 10 school meals per month. This costs £1,000 per month. We only have sufficient funds to provide meals for 50 per cent of days and we have a shortfall to maintain this level of funding at the end of the school year in July.
"Therefore we hope that the two fundraising events in March and April will help us to increase our support for this programme. Food costs have increased, especially the cost of rice which is a staple food in every school dinner.
"Last year's trip to the school reinforced our view on the continuing importance of providing an essential hot meal when possible.
"FCRS is continuing to prioritise the school meals programme because it encourages school attendance, provides a nutritional meal to over 500 children and assists parents in feeding their family."
Many of the children's parents live at a subsistence level and earn about £1 per day to support the whole family.
The Shropshire based charity is run by a small team of volunteers.
The concert, also featuring The Mere Singers led by director Mary Keith, will be held on April 13 at 7pm at St Mary's Church, in St Mary's Place, Dogpole, Shewsbury, SY1 1DX.
John James, of Pontypridd Male Voice Choir, says: "On behalf of the choir can I say how pleased we are to visit the historic town of Shrewsbury in support of Friends of Conakry Refugee School. We trust in the support of the local people as we perform in the magnificent venue of St Mary’s Church and can promise a wonderful evening’s entertainment.
"Hopefully our concert will generate much-needed funds for school meals at Conakry Refugee School."
The night will include a bar and raffle. Tickets cost £13.50 and are available online at the website www.fcrs.org.uk tickets or phone 01746 712375 or 07970 437964.
