Caldicot Male Voice Choir, and it’s supporting social clubs Cor Meibion Caldicot Cycle Club and the Birdie Boys, have been extremely busy this year fundraising for Prostate Cymru.
They have held numerous events in order to fundraise and to raise awareness of Prostate Cymru and the prostate diseases.
They kicked off their fundraising with a Table Top Sale held In January where 60 tables laden with bric-a-brac, cakes, pasties, pies and Welsh cakes were all available – although no hidden unwanted gems! Unwanted items and baked goods made an excellent £300.
They followed this with an Open Practice Night where the Choir, in front of an audience of about 50 people ran through many pieces of its programme under the guidance of Sian Hatton, Musical Director, and Shirley Ann James, Assistant Musical Director, accompanied by Stephen Berry. The evening featured songs from all areas of the musical world from Welsh hymns to Les Miserables to Queen. The audience enjoyed the evening and generously donated approximately £150 to the charity appeal.
The evening also had an awareness aspect as Prostate Cymru Awareness Coordinator Dai John, who as a sufferer himself, explained the importance of early diagnosis since there are no early symptoms of prostate cancer and the effects of the disease. Chairman of the choir Mark Stocker bravely passed on to the audience the effects of contracting early stage prostate cancer at the age of 52 has had on his life. Mark has opted for surgery and is extremely hopeful of making a full recovery. Everyone at Caldicot Male Voice Choir and Prostate Cymru wish him well.
The cycling social club of Caldicot Male Voice Choir took over the fundraising effort with two big events in the summer. On a rainy Sunday morning a few members of Cor Meibion Caldicot Cycling Club raised their new gazebo, indulged in bacon butties and took to the Redwick two Mile Circuit in an endurance challenge to complete 500 laps by all participants. 37 riders took part completing an amazing 608 laps raising £600 for Prostate Cymru.
This was then followed by the Fishguard to Caldicot (via Llanelli and Brecon) Cycle Ride described by those who took part as “epic”, and “four days of sheer torture and happiness”. Twelve riders were at the start including Prostate Cymru Ambassador and former Welsh International Ray Giles, on a stage that saw them take in Presceli Mountains, Carmarthen, Kidwelly and to the days finish at Llanelli a stage of 84 miles! From there it was a long climb through the Brecon Beacons passing Dan yr Ogof Caves to the end of the second stage at Pencelli – a slightly shorter 65 mile stage. On the third day additional riders joined the group which saw them undertake a 74 mile journey from the Canal Basin at Brecon via the Taff Trail and Monmouthshire Canal to the Choir Hall at Caldicot where the day ended with a sing-song and a hog roast.
Next came a golf day where 28 golfers competed at the Marriott St Pierre Country Club on a glorious September day where over £700 was raised.
The final event was the quiz night hosted by quiz master Len Gauntlett. The teams had to answer questions on everything from pop music, local knowledge, history, trivia and geography. The winner were Sudbrook Cricket Club who donated their first prize of £40 to the charity, as did those teams in 2nd and 3rd place who won £20 and £10 respectively. Along with proceeds of a raffle also held on the night £396 was raised for Prostate Cymru.
Prostate Cymru would like to thank everyone involved with Caldicot Male Voice Choir for their hard work, dedication and their enthusiasm to fundraise for Prostate Cymru.