Concert in aid of Longford's Cian's Kennels

Boasting a line up of quality music for a good cause organiser and activist Leanne Coyle says the concert has continued to grow since its inception: “SingForMe is a positive mental health based festival. It was first staged in 2018 to promote positive mental health and to provide an outlet and safe, fun space for people to attend.

“Each year, we donate to local non-government funded charities in need. So far, we have donated to: Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, SoSad, Be Buddies Not Bullies. To date we have raised almost €15,000 for charity.”

This year the festival runs from August 25 to 27 inclusive. The charity partner will be the a Longford based voluntary group:

“We are hoping to donate money to Cian's Kennels. It's a charity that helps individuals receiving chemotherapy to have visits from their pets while in hospital.

Leanne is hoping toe get good support for the 2023 venture: “This year, our festival did not receive funding from any funding body. We are relying on the public to secure the future of our festival and to give artists and musicians in Cavan and surrounding areas a stage.”

The Longford connections are more than just Cian's Kennels: “Each year we keep an eye out for local charities. I'm a photography teacher in Mercy Ballymahon Secondary School and I was there while the kids were doing the #bestiechallenge for Cian's Kennels.

“I hadn't heard of Cians Kennels at that point, so I looked into them and couldn't think of a nicer charity to help. No family knows what's around the corner, so having a charity like Cian's Kennels available if ever needed is a blessing,” Leanne told the Leader.

Headline acts over the weekend include The Jobseekerz, Thinner Lizzy and Big Generator. Longford group Amble will be one of the top acts on the Sunday night of the festival: “I went to school with Ross in Moyne Community School and am delighted to be able to offer them a stage. I don't think they've played Cavan before so it'll be a first. SingForMe is all about promoting local talent so of course the boys are welcome to perform.”

Leanne dsays there is more than just music on the line up: “Because SingForMe was built around promoting positive mental health and togetherness, we ask different services around the area to come and talk to the people attending about what they offer.

“Services such as SoSad, Pieta, HUGG etc were there last year to share information. I think it's a good way to educate and support the young people of Cavan in a fun, relaxed environment.”

SingForMe is held in Blessings Bar, Main Street, Cavan. The ticket prices are €15 for a day, ticket while a weekend pass is €40.

For more details go to the SingForMe Facebook page.