I’m a survivor of pen 3 at the Hillsborough disaster; this pen was where the majority of the 96 died. One of the 96, was 18-year-old John McBrien from Holywell, Flintshire. John was sat in the seat immediately behind me on the way to the game. Any opportunity to commemorate him, & the rest of the 96, is something I’m obviously very interested in
Gareth is now part of Lighthouse Choir. The choir was initially put together during the pandemic towards the final commemoration of the Hillsborough disaster and comprises people like Gareth, families and friends of victims and survivors of the disaster, some Love & Joy Gospel Choir members who have sung at many of its memorial services and members of the community who wanted to get involved.
The choir and album also hope to impact many affected by the pandemic given the way and environment in which they both developed. Gareth has been singing in choirs since the age of 12, starting at the Mold Alyn School Choir.
He stated that "Although admittedly it was a different experience to audition over “Zoom” as opposed to in person." When he first saw the advertisement on Facebook to join the choir "the opportunity to take part, in what is very likely to be the last memorial. Is something I’m very interested in"
The Choir meets at the Liverpool Lighthouse now three days a month until August to complete the album which is set to be available at the end of the year.
To learn more about the choir click here.
To follow the choirs' journey until the completion of the album subscribe to our email list below.