On the 19th September 2009, Athena played at a special charity event to raise money for The Glove Project, a project which works closely with rural African communities, aiming to reduce poverty, establish sustainable enterprise, promote education and improve health. We would like to say a huge thankyou to everybody that came on the night and supported such a worthwhile cause. Over £1000 was raised on the night, an amount which will make an incredible difference to the live of people living in the village of Sam Mbollet - for example that money could buy livestock (chickens cost just £10), buy mosquito nets that ultimately save lives (and cost only £5 each), pay to send 15 children to school for one year, or even provide a nurse for the villagers for 6 months.

 

"Athena Band have just undertaken a wonderful Fundraising Event for the GLOVE PROJECT here in Gambia and raised over £1000.00 as a result of their hard work. All of us here at the Glove project would like to say a massive THANK YOU to each and everyone of you for all your hard work and fantastic achievement. The monies you have raised will certainly help us to assist some of the Worlds Poorest People and we will never forget your endeavours. How truely amazing this would be if it turned into an annual event to raise much needed funds for the Glove Project. We really can not Thank you enough. A MASSIVE WELL DONE."
Jackie Church, founder and Project Director of the Glove Project, Gambia

 

The Glove Project is currently supporting the village of Sam Mbollet in The Gambia. The village has only a contaminated well to provide water, and has no mains electricity or even a generator. There is no school or clinic of any kind. With the continued help of The Glove Project, this could all change, and improve the quality of life for it's villagers immensely. For more information about The Glove Project please visit www.gloveproject.org

This gig was held in a large barn at Taylors' Farm, North Bolton, and we would like to give our thanks to everyone at The Farm for their help in putting on the night. We took donations towards the project, and also held a raffle. Pasties and Bank Top Bitter were available for a small charge. Thanks to everyone that gave so generously - 100% of all money raised on the night went directly to The Glove Project, with no middleman involved.

Although this was the first year for this event, we really do hope that it can become an annual occasion and are already in the planning stages for another next year - roll on Barn Aid 2010!

For more information on the 'Athena For Africa' charity night, please e-mail sam@athenaband.co.uk.