It’s Eleanor here – Arts & Business Creative Intern, and excited new member of the Aloud family! I’ll be working with Hannah in the Fundraising team for the next 10 months on some exciting new plans – you can read my new blog here!
I’d also like to introduce Dimana, our new Digital Communications Officer. Dimana is responsible for our social media, website and all other general digital stuff. Hello Dimana – welcome to the team!
It’s certainly been an unexpected year for everybody, but our choir members, Choir Leaders, Community Leaders and charity staff have managed to keep spirits up, and we’re very proud of what we’ve achieved during this challenging time. We have been able to maintain the delivery of weekly rehearsals for OBA, work with new and exciting partners and have produced some great “working from home” performances!
So with the festive season nearly upon us, we’re pleased to share with you some of our recent highlights and stories…Welcome to our winter newsletter.
Here’s our latest news
#1 We’re hosting a Christmas Concert (yay!)
We are very excited to announce that we are planning a very special virtual Christmas concert (as we’re not allowed to host a real one!). The concert will celebrate the exceptional work Only Boys Aloud, featuring special guests and collaborators we have worked with throughout 2020.
Sunday 20th December at 5pm GMT.
So pull on your fluffy socks, grab a glass of something mulled and let us transport you away into the world of Aloud for an uplifting concert of our favourite songs and festive fun!
The concert is free, but there will be an opportunity to donate during the evening for you to support our work.
Register for your ticket here >>> https://only-boys-aloud-christmas-concert.eventbrite.com
#2 Somewhere Over The Rainbow
The World Health Organization has announced 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife. To support the Royal College of Nurses in celebrating nurses and health professionals aross Wales Only Boys Aloud, with special guest Sophie Evans, produced a video and sang “Somewhere over the rainbow” to say thank you.
We had amazing response for the video, Helen Whyley, Director, Royal College of Nursing Wales, shared how proud the RCN Wales are to have collaborated with Only Boys Aoud on this special thank you song.
Denise Llewellyn FRCN MBE, Chair of the RCN Wales Board, shared that the outbreak of COVID19 the dedication and determination of nursing staff resulted in genuine and heartfelt appreciation from the people of Wales like never before. It was lovely hearing how humbled and grateful the RCN Wales was to receive this wonderful thank you song. The boys have been rehearsing this song virtually since September and we were delighted that Sophie Evans, who has played Dorothy in the West End, agreed to join us to sing the solo. It really felt that they managed to communicate our appreciation for all all nurses and health care workers.
#3 Winners at the Arts & Business Awards
We were absolutely over the moon to be recognised at the Arts & Business Cymru Awards 2020 for our work with supporters and partners across the world.
(Obviously, the team took the opportunity to dress up for a glamorous night in!)
We were so proud to win the Arts, Business & Young People award for our partnership with the Hodge Foundation, as they help us encourage equality of opportunity for young people.
Our friend and valued supporter Dan Weston won the Robert Maskrey Award for Arts Philanthropy for the incredible support he has given to the charity this year, and the first attendee at the awards zooming live from America! You can watch Dan’s video here.
As always, fantastic to see our ambassadors Amy Wadge and Rebecca Evans, as well as hearing our friends Only Men Aloud perform.
A hugely successful and enjoyable event! Well done to all the winners – it’s inspiring to see so much good work happening here in Wales. You can read the full coverage here.
#4 Christmas Cards
Christmas is less than a month away and The Aloud Charity Christmas shop now is officially open and our NEW Christmas Cards are on sale!
We have two beautiful designs to choose from, with each pack contains 10 cards and envelopes. We have chosen plastic-free packaging and the text inside is in English and Welsh.
We will deliver to any address, so send a little festive cheer today and visit our online shop.
Supporting The Aloud Charity
We are so grateful to our friends, funders and supporters from around the world who have helped us through this difficult time. Knowing you are by our side gives us the determination to come out of this pandemic with more passion and ambition than ever before.
Please contact [email protected] for information about becoming a Calon Member or a casual conversation about how your support can make a difference. You can make a donation on our website or download an information pack in English or in Welsh here.
Make a Donation
Here are some other ways you may be able to help:
- Set up a regular donation, enabling us to plan for the future with confidence and continue working with young people across Wales
- Shop using Amazon Smile, (and generate free donations!)
- Share our stories and videos
- Get in touch and say hello!
And that’s a wrap!
We can’t wait to see you all again soon, but for now stay safe and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!
With love from The Aloud Charity
xx
