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Concert to aid flood victims in Tewkesbury
 By
Trevor O’Sullivan
An Irish band in Gloucestershire is endeavouring to raise the spirits
of the victims of flood-stricken Tewkesbury.
Musicians from the group Pholklaw, who were featured on GMTV playing their
tunes on Tewkesbury High Street during the floods, are planning to organise
a charity concert in aid of those affected by the natural disaster.
Band member Limerick-born Des O’Neill is passionate about the venture
as he has seen first hand the destruction caused by the horrific flooding.
He said: “A lot of us are from the surrounding areas and we have
all been affected by it. There were only a few areas in the town that
wasn’t affected.
“The whole town was basically turned into an island. Lots of people
I know have lost their houses — someone in the band has even lost
theirs.
“Some people won’t be able to return to Tewkesbury for nine
or 10 months.
The one-off concert hopes to revive the area’s community spirit.
He said: “There’s a lot of Irish around Tewkesbury and this
event is all about giving the people in the area something to smile about
again.
“Across the road from my house there are people who still are not
able to move back to their homes.
“We want to hold the event soon so that it is still fresh in people’s
minds.
“If you let it go too long people forget.”
Barring any last minute objections the band hope to hold the event on
Saturday, October 13 and they have been supported every step of the way
by the local community.
Des said: “Tewkesbury Park has donated the fields and we also have
Group 4 who has agreed to take charge of security. Nobody is making any
money out of it.
“Even The Rotary Club will be handling all the funds that are gathered
and everything raised will aid the victims of the Tewkesbury flooding
charity.
“We have someone voluntarily doing the generators and the army camp
are involved are supplying generators.
“Basically we have got backing from the whole of the Tewkesbury
community. |
