A RETIRED Llanelli doctor is planning a special fundraising event for the medical services which helped him deal with prostate cancer.
Alan Howarth is a well-known figure in Llanelli (formerly a GP at Fairfield Surgery in the town) and has recently undergone surgery for prostate cancer.
His ambition now is to raise a decent wedge of cash for the urosurgical unit in Morriston and Neath Port Talbot hospitals.
And he is getting a major boost from another popular Llanelli personality – the professional actress Ffion Gwyther, also known to many as ‘Ffion from Furnace’.
Ffion will soon be celebrating her 30th birthday and has decided to put any gift money into her dear family friend Alan’s fundraising account.
Alan’s big fundraising effort is built around a musical evening being staged at Llanelli’s Diplomat Hotel in March. It will feature the combined musical talents of Mal Pope, Steve Balsamo, Brook Fox and Côr Curiad.
Alan explained: “Many people know I was diagnosed with cancer of the prostate last year and the rapid and timely intervention of Morriston and Neath Port Talbot hospitals was more than welcome.
“I want to show my gratitude to the unit by raising some money directly for the urosurgical unit.
“We are planning a musical evening on March 13 in the Diplomat Hotel. It will be a lively and fun evening and we are delighted to have the talents of Mal Pope, Steve Balsamo, Brook Fox and Cor Curiad.
“Everyone involved is giving their time freely to help raise as much as we can for this wonderful unit.”
There will be a raffle and auction chaired by the Reverend Eldon Phillips, known to all in Llanelli as the Town Crier and chaplain to the Llanelli Scarlets rugby team.
The hosts for the evening will be Noel Rees and Ffion Gwyther.
Ffion is celebrating her 30th birthday on February 26 and will be marking the occasion with a party for family and friends on February 28.
Ffion said: “The reason that l am asking people to make a donation instead of giving me a birthday present is that I want to show the hospital and the specialists how grateful l am to them for looking after my very special friend.
“This was my idea and people have already started sending donations. I am excited to see how much the outcome will be. Thank you in advance to everyone who contributes to such a worthy cause.”
Ffion’s CV includes appearing in theatre productions in Wales and abroad – and meeting The Queen on her final visit to The Senedd in Cardiff.
During lockdown, Ffion developed a large online following with her ‘Ffion from Furnace’ videos, taking on a different character every time and documenting her own Covid journey, including encouraging others to have their vaccinations. The videos received widespread praise for providing a morale-booster during the pandemic. Ffion has also received community awards.
Tickets for the March 13 musical evening at The Diplomat are £20 each.
You can obtain tickets from either the Diplomat Hotel [card payments] or The Links Workshop (Queen Victoria Road, by the railway bridge) [cash or cheque].
If you want to contribute directly to Ffion’s birthday gift appeal, the bank details are – Name – Urosurgical Fundraiser. Sort code – 30-54-66. Account number – 57863368.
Ffion is asking people to add their name in the bank reference field. If donors wish to remain anonymous, they can just use ‘Anon’.
Two of the stars of the March 13 show, Mal Pope and Steve Balsamo, should need little introduction to music fans in Wales.
Mal Pope signed to Elton John’s Rocket Records at just 13 years of age. Steve Balsamo rose to fame as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar.
Mal Pope is a name synonymous with Swansea, a multi-faceted talent who has carved out a remarkable career across music, broadcasting, and theatre.
Born in the city, Pope’s journey began in the vibrant local music scene. He gained early recognition as a singer-songwriter, releasing several albums that showcased his distinctive voice and knack for crafting catchy, heartfelt tunes. His music often weaves in elements of folk, pop, and rock, and he has a particular talent for storytelling through song.
Beyond his music, Pope has become a familiar voice and face on Welsh airwaves. He has presented numerous radio shows for BBC Radio Wales, entertaining listeners with his warm personality, insightful commentary, and eclectic musical tastes. His ability to connect with audiences, whether through a microphone or on a stage, is a testament to his genuine warmth and quick wit.
In recent years, Pope has also made significant contributions to musical theatre. He has written and produced several successful musicals, often drawing inspiration from Welsh history, culture, and personal narratives.
Steve Balsamo is a highly-acclaimed singer and songwriter, best known for his powerful voice and diverse career.
Born in Swansea, he initially pursued art before returning to his passion for music at 17. His breakthrough came in the mid-1990s when he landed the lead role of Jesus in the West End revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar, despite having no prior West End experience. His performance earned him critical acclaim and a Variety Club award in 1997.
Following his success in musical theatre, Balsamo signed with Columbia Records and released his solo album, All I Am, in 2002. He then went on to form the country rock band The Storys, touring internationally with notable artists. Balsamo has also proven to be a prolific songwriter, penning hits for various artists, including Meat Loaf and Slash.
Brook Fox, meanwhile, is an accomplished singer-songwriter from Burry Port.
He has described his music as, “a unique blend of pop, indie and country twang”.
In an internet interview, he added: “I’d say I’m lyrically inspired by the likes of Van McCann, Gerry Cinnamon and Sam Fender.
“I love their way of telling stories from the first-person perspective but making them so applicable, making the tracks resonate, which in my opinion is one of the keys to making great music.
“Sonically, I’m more pop and ear worm driven, where simple melodies and basic chords come together after writing the lyrics.”
Alan Howarth is receiving help to organise the musical evening from his wife, Jayne.
He added, “Together, we are hoping to get the community together to raise funds for the urological unit. The event promises to have some first class entertainment. We’d like to appeal to all to come along and join the fun.
“In addition, we are so very grateful to Ffion for such a lovely gesture of turning her birthday celebrations into a fundraiser. It’s a gesture which has touched our hearts and I’m sure the public will give Ffion a round of applause for her generosity.”
