***Warning: incredibly slushy and gushing post follows. You have been warned.***
For the last few months I have been organising a folk concert to raise funds for my trip this summer to Camp Adventure, Topeka, KS. I will be working with Patrick Costello helping to run a music program for youth and adults with disabilities.
The concert was on Saturday night and I am pleased to say that it went really well. Around 85 people came along and were wonderfully receptive to the music that the St Philips’ Pickers and I performed. I was extremely nervous and think I got away with murder but people seemed to really enjoy it. I even got to play an encore.
We raised an amazing amount of money and I’m still being given donations! This will cover the cost of my airfare and also a sizable donation to the instrument fund for Camp Adventure. People who came along on the night were incredibly generous as were those who could not attend but still donated money or lent support in other ways.
I am incredibly humbled by all the love and support I have received for my wee adventure. People have been so generous with their time and talents. Thank you!
Special thanks go to the Pickers: John Morrison, David and Sally Simpson, Rachel Gandy, Katie Chalmers and Grant Anthony. They all worked really hard and sounded great.
Angus Ireland and Jamie McDonald did a fantastic job with the sound and PA. They managed to record it too so stay tuned…
Sheena McDonald provided refreshments on the night, assisted by Carol Brackenridge, Anne Russell et al. Sh
eena’s Caramel Shortbread is the best I’ve ever tasted.
Thanks to Stewart Weaver who allowed us to use the church and did a power of advertising throughout the community and to Alex Thomson who was generous with his time and for putting up with us randomly moving furniture and bothering him during rehearsals.
Thanks to the folks at work who gave donations and came along, especially Fran who baked scones and gingerbread to sell for the cause.
Thanks also to Dougie for coming from so far away, for the photos and the amazing donation.
Most of all thank you to my lovely wife Mish who has been so supportive of me, the trip and putting on the concert. She has kept me calm and put up with my moods and stressing for the last three months with incredible grace and good humour. Her support and reassurance has allowed me to believe in myself and this concert wouldn’t have happened without her. I love her very much indeed.
This probably sounds like a bad Oscars speech for a “no big deal” event but I am genuinely thankful for everyone who helped in one way or another.
The plane tickets are booked. Look out Dorothy. I’m coming to Kansas. The adventure continues…
