Talented Wrexham musician’s living room gig smashes fundraising target for hospital garden

A talented musician from Wrexham who performed live from his living room has raised almost £1500 for a hospital garden appeal.

John ‘Chippy’ Lloyd, a Technical Training Officer at Coleg Cambria, had given himself the target of £500 but surpassed that milestone during the two-hour concert.

Playing his acoustic guitar surrounded by rainbow pictures painted by his two children, the 38 year-old sang hits from across the decades by stars including The Beatles, Bob Marley, Elvis Presley, Pulp and Ocean Colour Scene.

The gig was screened on the Llay Miners’ Welfare Institute Facebook page and has had more than 9,500 views.

He now plans to hold another concert for the same cause – a project to build a garden for patients and visiting families at Wrexham Maelor Hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU) – later in the year, subject to social distancing rules.

“I had hoped we would get some interest and raise a decent amount of money for the appeal, but I wasn’t expecting such a positive response – it’s fantastic,” said John, who lives in Borras with his wife Lyndsey and daughters Chloe, six, and four year-old Charlotte.

“I’ve been performing at the Institute and locally for over a decade now and have missed being able to go out and gig because of the Coronavirus lockdown.

“It was great to be able to play a few songs and help make a difference for the hospital, so thanks to everyone who supported me on the night.”

John, whose job sees him assess and guide Cambria apprentices based at the Airbus wing-making factory in Broughton, has another musical project in the pipeline.

Before the pandemic took hold, he and a group of friends – including guitarist Jim, a nurse at Wrexham Maelor – were about to launch a new band, The BrightLights.

“It was Jim who mentioned the ICU garden so when the Miners’ Welfare Institute asked if I would play a gig, we decided it would be a good idea to make it a fundraiser,” said John, who plays cricket for the popular venue.

“I’m so glad we did, and hopefully people will continue to pledge money and we can help this amazing cause.”

To watch the performance again on Facebook, visit www.facebook.com/llayminers.welfare.9 To donate money to the ICU garden appeal, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/chippys-live-gig