Volunteers make a splash by tuning up for piano challenge

PICTURED: Tŷ Olwen volunteers Chinch Gryniewicz, Aly Loring, Sue Parker, Carol Pillinger and Ann Sandham with the new electric piano.

Efforts of volunteers who braved Swansea Bay’s waves has proved music to the ears of patients at Tŷ Olwen Hospice.

Six volunteers raised £2,000 to purchase an electric piano by committing to ten dips in Caswell Bay.

Volunteer Aly Loring organised the fundraising challenge after speaking about music to patients at Tŷ Olwen, which delivers specialist palliative and end of life care.

Aly said: “Music is so important when sometimes there are no words.

“I’ve spoken to a lot of patients about music and how it impacts them, so I thought it would be a great idea to fundraise for an electric piano.

PICTURED: The volunteers completed ten dips in Caswell Bay.

“Now we have the piano, anyone can play it – patients, staff, volunteers, visitors. It sets a nice atmosphere and can bring some joy to everyone who is in the building.

“The first song I played on it was inspired by a patient I spoke to. She loved Calon Lan, so I made sure that was the first song I played.”

The fundraising efforts surpassed expectations, with the total currently more than £3,400, with donations still being made.

Aly added: “The efforts of the volunteers in doing the challenge was amazing, and that was matched by the money raised – the extra money will be used for something else to help the patient experience in Tŷ Olwen.

“The camaraderie of the volunteers was so inspiring, and we helped each other through it all.

“We had some tricky weather – one dip came via a storm – but we sang different songs each time and one of our volunteers Carol Pillinger dressed up as Tinkerbell and a ballerina to bring more fun to it all.

PICTURED:  The volunteers brave the Swansea Bay waves.

“We also had Sue Parker doing the dips, while Ann Sandham, Sophie Cuggy and Chinch Gryniewicz helped by holding towels for us for when we got out of the sea and encouraging us. While there were other volunteers who couldn’t come in or be there, but who donated and raised money themselves. It was a real team effort.”

Helen Martin, Volunteer Support Manager at Tŷ Olwen Hospice, said: “We are ever so grateful for the efforts of the volunteers, who have really gone above and beyond in their efforts to support patients and staff in Tŷ Olwen.

“When you walk into the main entrance and are welcomed by music on the electric piano it really sets an uplifting atmosphere.

“Our patients are enjoying listening to the music, whether that’s in the tea bar or from their rooms, while staff and visitors have also given lovely feedback too.”