New Zealand author, Annwyn Hanham, along with her partner, acclaimed cellist Raeul Pierard, are extending a compassionate helping hand to families and communities, who have suffered from the recent fire at Grenfell Tower. They are offering a fundraising concert at All Saints’ Putney Common, on Thursday, August 10th at 7.30 pm, with donations going to British Red Cross Fire Relief Fund.

Annwyn recalls the immediate and compassionate response from people throughout the UK when a large portion of her city of Christchurch, New Zealand, was devastated by relentless earthquake shocks. Over 200 people were killed and many more seriously injured. Between 2010 and 2015 Christchurch residents lived with major quakes and resulting flooding and liquefaction, where mud oozed from the ground coating surfaces with black silt.

The on-going stress impacted on children, families, communities and businesses, leaving residents emotionally and mentally fatigued and vulnerable. To know that others have reached out from across the globe is heart-warming at such times when it is easy to feel isolated from trauma. Annwyn also knows what it is to embark on the journey of grief, having lost a teenage son in a car accident some years ago now. She has inspired many with her book ‘Dry Your Tears’ which describes her personal discoveries of the pathways through grief, and the gifts that can actually come from this epic journey.

Annwyn will briefly speak of healing from grief and trauma, opening the way for Raeul to fill the beautiful All Saints’ Putney Common Church with the heart-rending sounds of his cello. Raeul will play the Bach solo cello suites 1, 2 & 3 which tell the story of Johan Sebastian’s Bach’s own experiences of grief having lost his wife and many children during his lifetime. Eventually, he finds happiness once more, this also being expressed through his beautiful music which is renowned for its healing properties. The acoustics in the church are perfect for cello ensuring this will be an uplifting evening for all

Entry is by cash donation and in New Zealand such a gift is called ‘Koha’, which means to give from the heart. All are warmly welcome.

Article supplied by Annwyn Hanham