Mezzo-contralto Amanda Neri and Cork city councillor Ken
O’Flynn are among a large number of singers and musicians who have
joined forces to raise funds for Cork Penny Dinners by recording a CD.Angie Benhaffaf and her two daughters Malika and Iman are among the singers in the 120-strong choir.
Other participants include members of An Garda Síochana Choir and The Fleischmann Choir, as well as Penny Dinners volunteers.
"We are rallying together to help people in need. Nobody should ever go hungry," said volunteer and trustee with the charity Kaitriona Twoomey.
She said they hoped the single ‘A Penny for Your Thoughts’, written by singer-songwriter Malcom Urquhart, would hit the charts.
"The song has the making of a hit," said Ms Twoomey.
It is hoped the CD will raise more than €55,000 for the charity, which was founded by the Quakers in the 1840s and provides hot meals for people who are unable to afford to feed themselves.
Cllr O’Flynn (FF), who used to sing on the West End, said he had vowed he would never sing again after giving up the stage, but could not say no when he was approached by the charity.
"It’s a really worthy charity and is feeding 1,400 people a week in Cork. It has no administration costs. They are a fantastic organisation and it’s all volunteer-driven."
Cllr O’Flynn is also performing in a number of concerts with Neri in December to raise further money.
Cork Penny Dinners, which is open 365 days a year, has seen a 400% increase in the numbers availing of its services in the past 18 months.
The CD will be launched at the English Market on Nov 9 and will be available for purchase at music outlets and on iTunes.
* corkpennydinners.ie