Rathbarry singer's charity song to raise funds for children in Syria

RATHBARRY-based singer Fiona Kelleher has rallied around some of her famous musician friends to record a song to support children and families suffering from the ongoing war in Syria.

In the Dark – a song about a star and the comfort it brings to children in times of upset, fear and threat – went on general release on Bandcamp last Sunday. 

Composed by Fiona, it was recorded with John Spillane, Ger Wolfe, Jim Murray, Mel Mercier, Caoimhin Vallely, Niall Vallely and several others.

‘I wrote the song during the year and it’s solely focused on the children and families who are affected by the ongoing war in Syria. Music is the only way forward for us in showing our support and reaching out to help those people,’ Fiona told The Southern Star.

‘As well as raising money with the song, I have also set up a JustGiving page and I am asking people to donate to it so we can give the money to Médecin Sans Frontiéres Ireland. They are doing wonderful work in Syria and in many cases they are the only hope for many whose lives are threatened, providing high quality essential medical care when it is needed.’

An animated video by Yawen Zheng was also made to promote the song and on Sunday December 18th an Elf Walk will take place in Clonakilty to support the charity and the song will also be peformed on the day with the help of the West Cork Ukulele Orchestra and the Vespertine Quintet.

See www.justgiving.com/fundraising/songforsyria for more information.

Fiona and Jim Murray will appear on Nationwide on RTÉ 1 on Friday December 16th at 7pm, after Anne Cassin and her team paid a visit to DeBarra’s in Clonakilty to record the duo singing an acoustic version of the song.