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The annual David Hawthorn memorial gala concert will return this summer to raise funds for charity.

The event will be held at the Vanguard Centre in Caerphilly on Saturday, July 1 – the first time the concert will have gone ahead since before the pandemic in 2019.

The concert was first held in 2017 in memory of David Hawthorn – the late chairman of the Vanguard Centre.

Mr Hawthorn, who had Motor Neurone Disease, passed away in 2016.

In its first year, the event raised £3,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association charity.

In the following years, money has been raised for causes such as the Alzheimer’s Society and the Tommy Cooper Society’s ‘Tommy’s Ticker’ campaign, which raises money for heart defibrillators.

This year, proceeds from the event will be going to Blood Bikes Wales – a charity providing a free motorcycle courier service to hospitals across Wales.

Only Men Aloud’s David Fortey, who is performing at the event, said: “David Hawthorn was a real lover of music and the arts.

“In his capacity as chairman of the Vanguard centre, he was the first person to congratulate and show his appreciation to any visiting artist on behalf of all at Vanguard, and the local community.”

This year’s concert will feature acts such as Noteworthy Mixed Choir and the Volante Tenors.

Mr Fortey said: “Noteworthy are one of Wales’ leading mixed choirs who bring a vibrant verve and pizzaz to the Welsh choral music scene.

“Their versatility at this year’s gala concert will see them not only perform as an ensemble, but also take advantage of the many talented musicians and singers within their ranks to perform as soloists throughout the evening.

“The Volante Tenors are made up of three friends and colleagues from Welsh National Opera and Only Men Aloud, who formed during the pandemic to help raise money for charitable causes.”

The concert starts at 7pm, with tickets costing £15. Tickets can be bought on the door or by calling 02920 866578.