Swansea‘s Lord Mayor has thanked the traders, volunteers and crowds who turned out as she launched her charity appeal with an afternoon of music at the market.
Cllr Penny Matthews welcomed residents, traders and visitors to Swansea Market‘s garden area on Friday for the official launch of the appeal, raising money for the St David’s Medical Foundation.
The foundation supports medical research, including work to help people living with arthritis.
Shoppers were treated to a programme of entertainment, with the Swansea Male Choir in full voice among the stalls and pupils from Christchurch Primary School singing to guitar accompaniment beside the market’s decorated piano.
Volunteers carried Lord Mayor’s Charity Fund collection tins through the market during the event, with charity balloons and bunting strung between the stalls.
Cllr Matthews said: “It was wonderful to see so many people come together to support the launch of my charity appeal. The atmosphere in the market was fantastic and it was clear how much goodwill there is for this important cause.”
She thanked the performers, the market’s traders and everyone who attended and donated. “Your generosity will help fund research that can make a real difference to people’s lives,” she said.
The Lord Mayor added that the foundation played an important role in supporting medical innovation and education, and that she was proud to raise awareness of its work during her year in office.
Glan Rees, chair of the St David’s Medical Foundation, said it had been a pleasure to be part of the occasion. “The market is always a great place to visit, and the support from the crowd was fantastic,” he said.
He added: “We’re a charity that’s helping drive forward important medical research every day. It’s events like this that really show the strength of the local community coming together for a good cause.”
Collection boxes were in place across the market throughout the event, with further fundraising activities planned in support of the appeal in the months ahead.
The launch was the latest in a busy civic calendar for the market’s garden area, which has become a regular stage for community events at the heart of the city centre.
