Christian Aid raises over £2,000 at Twyford concert
Fundraising in Twyford exceeded £2,000 during Christian Aid Week, financed by a concert at St Mary’s Church featuring local choirs and soloists. The event capped a week of community activities supporting poverty alleviation in Nairobi.
TWYFORD — A weekend concert at St Mary’s Church delivered more than £2,000 to Christian Aid’s global poverty programmes, organizers confirmed Monday. The performance, titled Together in Music, concluded a week of community events staged for Christian Aid Week, which ran from May 10 to 16.
The evening featured appearances by the Thames Valley Chorus male choir, solo vocalists, and instrumental ensembles drawn from parish and school musicians. Organizer Cyndy Gray said ticket sales and refreshment stalls drove the bulk of the proceeds, though a final total will be announced after the Flower Club’s separate donation.
Key Points
- ✅ £2,100 raised at St Mary’s Church concert
- ⚡ Week-long schedule included flower festival, service, and concert
- 💡 Funds target Nairobi poverty alleviation through Christian Aid partners
Christian Aid’s 2024 appeal focused on Nairobi’s informal settlements, where families face acute food insecurity. Gray described the week as a collaboration among St Mary’s, the United Reformed Church in Twyford, and local clubs, designed to blend cultural celebration with charitable giving.
Activities began with a flower festival marking 60 years of the Twyford Flower Club, showcasing floral installations, live music, and craft stalls. A joint evening service followed, leading into the Saturday concert that drew standing-room-only crowds.
| Activity | Date | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Flower Festival | May 10 | Entry fees, stalls, raffle |
| Evening Service | May 15 | Donation bucket |
| Concert | May 16 | Ticket sales, refreshments |
The Thames Valley Chorus, a semi-professional male choir, performed three a cappella pieces, including a new arrangement of a traditional Kenyan hymn. Soloists from St Mary’s choir opened with a rendition of Amazing Grace, setting an emotional tone before instrumental interludes.
💡 Pro Tip
Book early for community concerts in historic venues—standing room often sells out within hours.
Gray confirmed that while the concert total exceeded £2,000, the Flower Club will add an undisclosed sum from its own fundraising, bringing the overall contribution closer to £2,500. All funds will be channelled through Christian Aid’s Nairobi office to partner organisations running school feeding programmes and micro-loan schemes for women-led households.
📋 By The Numbers
- 10-16 May 2024 — Christian Aid Week appeal period
- £2,100 raised — Concert proceeds (final total pending)
- 60 years — Twyford Flower Club anniversary celebrated
- 3 events — Flower festival, service, concert in single week
Christian Aid’s Nairobi programme manager, Leah Wanjiku, praised Twyford’s efforts in a filmed message played before the concert. “These funds will purchase fortified porridge for 500 children daily for a month,” she said. Organisers expect the final tally to be published by May 24, with all proceeds cleared by June 1 for immediate deployment.
Residents who missed the concert can still support the appeal via standing donations at St Mary’s Church office or online through the parish’s dedicated giving portal.