Local music group the A Capella Knights recently celebrated raising almost €50k for homelessness services in Galway.
Each year the A Capella Knights raise money for the Galway Simon Community’s homelessness services with the Knights Before Christmas seasonal concerts.
The group consists of five local men; Francis Casey, Mike Davenport, Brian Hickey, Keith Davies and Gary McDonald who have performing concerts for Galway Simon Community since 2015.
Over the years, this festive event has grown in popularity, with almost a thousand people in the audience at their latest concert in December last year.
The 2019 Knights Before Christmas concert alone raised €15,704.43, while cumulatively the group have racked up close to €50k for the fight against homelessness.
As well as raising funds, the group also established the now well-known Simon Music Project, which comprises Galway Simon clients, volunteers, and staff members.
Besides performing at the annual Christmas event hosted by The A Capella Knights, the Music Project is now widely in demand for many other local concerts throughout the year.
Karen Golden, CEO of Galway Simon Community, said the money they have raised down the years has helped tremendously with their homelessness prevention and accommodation services in Galway.
“They have also created a legacy that is the Galway Simon Music Project. Since its first year, the Music Project has been extremely popular and has now grown to over 50 members who meet regularly.”
“This group has allowed our clients to not only grow in confidence, but in some cases to also tackle social isolation through coming together as a community”, Karen said.
All of the proceeds from the 2019 concert will go towards Galway Simon’s Health and Wellbeing Fund.
This provides direct support to people through basic health treatments, therapeutic activities, counselling, educational & training support.
“We want to extend a heartfelt thanks to The A Capella Knights for the extraordinary support they have shown Galway Simon Community over the last number of years, through both their fundraising and volunteering”, Karen added.
Planning for the next annual Christmas concert hosted by The A Capella Knights is already underway, and is due to take place on December 19 in Galway Cathedral.
