Juliet Lunam
5 days ago
News

Solihull ukulele players play to a packed house in fundraising concert

Acocks Green Methodist Church raised more than £700 when it played host to The Olton Amazing Pluckers for a Christian Aid Week concert.

The Olton Amazing Pluckers

Event organiser Kate Harding explained the group is part of the Olton University of the Third Age, or U3A.

She said: “Last year, they made their debut performance at our church, and in the Acocks Green area, and we had lots of requests for another concert. Since then, the ukulele group has increased in numbers and experience.

“The church was packed for this event - the last few had to sit in the choir pews – and everyone seemed to have had a great time, including the players.

Acocks Green Methodist Church  played host to a fundraising concert.
Acocks Green Methodist Church played host to a fundraising concert. Credit: Acocks Green Methodist Church

“We raised £709.05 and everyone went home smiling and asking for another concert. We may even put on two next year!”

Money raised for Christian Aid Week will help the organisation’s partners empower vulnerable communities to find practical and sustainable ways out of poverty.

This year’s appeal highlighted work in Guatemala, in Central America, where climate change is causing the seasons to intensify and shift erratically. Water sources are drying up and vital crops are failing, plunging farming communities into hunger and poverty.

Despite the challenges families are facing, the unstoppable power of hope drives people to look for ways to push back, diversifying and growing more resilient crops, building water recycling systems, and creating organic fertiliser.

To find out more about projects like these and how to get involved, visit www.christianaid.org.uk.