A Newquay a capella male singing group has continued its support for good causes in Cornwall by raising £6,000 for a child bereavement support charity.

Oll an Gwella, Cornish for ‘all the best’, has donated the money to Penhaligon’s Friends, its chosen charity for the year.

The group, which was formed 15 years ago from members of Newquay Male Voice Choir, has a repertoire of more than 100 Cornish, folk, nautical and shanty songs that have proven to be very popular.

Oll an Gwella raise money for a specific local Cornish charity that the choir adopts annually by performing at numerous events and venues each year around the country, which includes the Boardmasters Music Festival, Newquay Rowing Club as well as concerts at St Michael’s Church.

Rob Spowart from Oll an Gwella said: “Donations from events, with the addition the money raised from our three recorded albums means that so far, we’ve raised more than £55,000 for local charities including Cornwall Blood Bikes, local RNLI stations and Cove Macmillan Support Centre.

“We now like to support smaller volunteer-led local Cornish charities and recognise the important work that Penhaligon’s Friends undertakes with bereaved children in our community.”

Penhaligon’s Friends has provided specialist support to children across Cornwall who have lost a loved one since it was established in 1995. Since then, they have supported thousands of families facing the difficulties that bereavement can present.

Julie Parker, the chief executive of Penhaligon’s Friends, said: “We are so grateful to Oll an Gwella for choosing to support Penhaligon’s Friends. The funds they have raised for us so far will cover the costs of the three special memory days that we will run this year. 

“The children we work with tell us that they find it helpful meeting other children who have gone through a similar experience. Our memory days do this and are filled with activities to help children and young people who attend, aged from four to eighteen, to explore the feelings that people have when someone dies. It’s a day where it’s OK to have fun, laugh or cry."

Oll an Gwella has a busy schedule ahead, which includes a performance at Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm as part of the Cornwall International Male Choral Festival on Saturday, May 4 at 1.30pm and on Saturday, May 18, at noon the group will be taking to the stage at Newquay Harbour’s Mini Shanty Festival. 

Oll an Gwella will also appear at this year’s Royal Cornwall Show on Thursday, June 6, and have been invited to play at the Boardmasters Music Festival on Sunday, August 11.

A full list of forthcoming performances can be found by visiting ollangwella.co.uk

For more information about Penhaligon’s Friend visit penhaligonsfriends.org.uk