A North Wales Choir has raised funds throughout the year for two important charities – Wales Air Ambulance and Gafael Llaw.

Encôr Choir, which is based in Bangor, recently presented cheques to both charities after raising £1,400 for each charity.

Encôr welcomed representatives from the Wales Air Ambulance and Gafael Llaw to their rehearsal to receive a donation from their activities over the year.

Community fundraiser Alwyn Jones received the donation on behalf of Wales Air Ambulance and Dave Evans and Carina Roberts represented Gafael Llaw.

Choir Leader Kiefer Jones arranges the repertoire of Welsh and English songs that are uplifting, with the aim that singing together is good for soul and well-being.

Some of the reasons the Wales Air Ambulance was chosen as its charity of the year includes the fact members knew people that needed to use the service. As well as the lifesaving charity being such an important part of our community.

This year Encôr performed on Bangor’s Garth Pier twice and received a donation to the charities from the Friends of the Pier Garth Bangor. A singing workshop was held at Penrhyn Hall and a Christmas Concert with local artists held at the Our Lady and St. James Church. The choir is grateful to Father Adrian Morrin and Rachel Harris for their welcome to the church and support at the Christmas concert.

Ruth Wyn Williams, Encôr Choir member said: “We hope that 2022 will be full of opportunities to perform and socialise as a choir and continue to collect donations for local charities. Encôr has recently received a grant from the Loneliness and Social Isolation Fund 2021-2022 (Mantell Gwynedd/ Gwynedd Council) which will support the choir to grow and invest in e.g. sound equipment, and further activities to enjoy singing together for our physical and mental wellbeing. 

“Kiefer Jones is the choir leader and musical director who strives to reach the best possible musical standard through introducing a repertoire of ‘feel-good’ songs (Welsh and English) that are uplifting and boost the mood. 

“However thanks goes to all the choristers for their resilience, perseverance and care of each other by following all reasonable measures in order to enable us to sing together."

Alwyn Jones said: “Profound thanks to Encôr for naming Wales Air Ambulance one of their Charities of the Year when they set out in December 2020, and then going on to raise such a fantastic amount for us and Gafael Llaw, which is a local Charity in Gwynedd and Anglesey raising funds for children with cancer.

“They have grown to be a 50 strong choir and have been received excellently locally and in the concerts they have already held. I had the opportunity of 'sitting in' at their recent practise session which was very impressive indeed. Warmest thanks again for your kind donation, and congratulations on your success to date.”

The choir welcomes new members aged 18+ who have a passion for singing. If you’d like to join the choir email [email protected]

There are several ways that the public can continue to support the Wales Air Ambulance. These include online donations, signing up to the Charity’s Lifesaving Lottery or by coming up with their own innovative ways to fundraise at home. Further information can be found via www.walesairambulance.com. 

Alternatively, a £5 text-message donation can be made by texting the word HELI to 70711.