The inaugural #TeamIrfon Christmas concert held on Friday 7th December at Bangor Cathedral, has raised £5,000 for the local fund that helps fund projects and facilities to support the mental health of cancer patients in Gwynedd and Anglesey and their families.
The evening of celebration saw Welsh Tenor Rhys Meirion take to the stage along with acclaimed choir Cor Glanaethwy and the Menai Bridge Brass Band. The MC for the evening, BBC Radio Cymru Presenter Aled Hughes, knew healthcare campaigner Irfon Williams well. He started the evening by explaining to the packed Cathedral that the performers taking part in the concert were some of Irfon’s favourite musicians and singers.
Rhys Meirion said: “I’d not sung in the Cathedral since Irfon’s funeral. I was honoured to be part of the concert and to be associated with Team Irfon. Team Irfon has created an incredible legacy for a very special guy.”
Sister Sara Hardy from the Alaw cancer Unit in Ysbyty Gwynedd and former Alaw patient Dafydd Rhys Thomas both read poems during the evening, adding a special touch to what Matron Manon Williams who also attended described as a ‘joyous, stunning evening of thanks’.
Organiser Becky Williams says: “My wonderful husband Irfon was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer at the age of 43. Being diagnosed with cancer and going through treatment has a huge impact on not just the mental health of the patient but the mental health of the family as a whole. Irfon and I felt the mental health aspect of cancer care required more attention.
“Devastatingly Irfon died in May 2017, however Irfon’s memory and #Teamirfon lives on. To date over £180,000 has been raised to support local services however we have much, much more to do. We want to focus on increasing support for bereaved families as well as continue to fund mindfulness, complementary therapies and improved wigs for those patients who lose their hair.
“I’d like to thank everyone who made this evening possible, especially the fantastic performers and our generous sponsors, the Wakin Jones Group, Dafydd Hardy Estate Agents and Patricks of Upper Bangor. Thank you too to everyone who came for being part of the night.
“Christmas is a particularly poignant time to reflect on the loss of loved ones. This concert gave us a time to pause, enjoy some wonderful music and give thanks for the love we have in our lives. Love is the gift.”
The #TeamIrfon Christmas concert will be played on Mon FM on Christmas Day. For timings please go to: www.facebook.com/MonFM
