TWO charities will benefit from money raised by an academy’s concert in memory of a father of three former pupils who was killed by a falling tree during October’s storm .
Donations made during the musical extravaganza, held on Sunday March 2 by Hatch End High School, amounted to £1,400 for victim Donal Drohan’s family’s chosen charities: The Red Brick Cafe at The Wealdstone Centre in High Street, Wealdstone, and Harrow Mencap, which has day centres in Pinner Green, Pinner.
The Drohans’ three children once attended the school and all were involved in the performing arts and were members of Harrow Young Musicians. They were joined on stage at the concert by a cast of 250.
Mrs Drohan said: “I would like to thank Hatch End High School and Harrow Young Musicians (HYM) for putting together a wonderful concert in my husband Donal’s memory.
“The concert was very well attended and everyone gave generously to the charity’s Harrow Mencap and Red Brick Cafe Wealdstone.
“The programme of music, put together by Mark Gooding, was so well thought-out and showcased the talents and skills of the musicians from both HYM and Hatch End.
“We were particularly impressed by the section of Irish music.
“I felt very proud that all three of our children played and sang.
“It was nice to see so many young people - especially those who came back - give up their time."
Mr Drohan was an operations manager with the public realm service at Harrow Council and had worked at the authority for almost 25 years.
Marina Dunford, deputy headteacher, said: “It was a wonderful evening watching so many young people join together to pay tribute to a man who had given so much to his community.”
The audience, which included relatives of Mr Drohan and former members of Harrow Young Musicians, enjoyed a selection of hits from the school’s recent production of Grease along with pieces by the senior and junior choirs and saxophone quartet.
Harrow Young Musicians’ philharmonic orchestra, symphonic winds and its soul band similarly played.
Representatives from the two charities collected the money on Thursday.
