A SINGING store worker is stepping out from behind the counter to take part in a charity performance at the shopping centre where she works.
Aspiring songstress, Laura Jayne Davies will unleash her vocal talents at Swansea’s Quadrant Centre nextweek to raise money for Help for Heroes.
It’s a cause close to the heart of the 22-year-old from Sketty Park, as her nephew serves in the Army, her brother was in the Royal Navy, and one of her friends is about to sign up.
Laura admitted her charity single, Arms of the Angel, strikes a chord every time she sings it as she can’t help but think of those on the front line.
“The song is so beautiful and it has such strong meaning,” she said.
“It makes me so sad to think we have to lose such decent men, who fight so bravely for our country.
“I will be trying hard to fight back the tears.”
Laura, who works in the Animal store said she’s “nervous” about her impending performance, but for someshoppers, it won’t be the first time they’ve been serenaded by her melodic tones, as many have heard her music played on the shop’s stereo system.
Her new-found fame comes after years of being downtrodden by bullies at school, but singing has helped her come out of her shell and given her the confidence to finally embrace her gift – hence the birth of her debut album, Songbook.
Speaking about how she got involved with Help for Heroes, Laura explained: “The Help for Heroes rally event organiser, Tim Price-Bowen saw a video of me singing Arms of the Angel on YouTube and got in touch with me via my Twitter account (@laurasongbook).
“He asked me if I’d like to donate a song to the H4H Rally DVD for release this year. I was happy to help and chose the track, The House That Built Me, from my album.
“Since then, we have kept in contact and after meeting Ant and Christine Foster from the Llanelli Rally Team, I wanted to do more for the charity, so decided to release the song (Arms of the Angel), where it all began, and what better place to mark the release, than at the Quadrant Centre?”
The rally team represented Wales in this year’s Rally 9 – an annual event that sees teams from across the UK travel across Europe racing and raising money for the cause at the same time.
“I have a lot of respect for Tim and the H4H Rally team, they really put their heart and soul into raising money and continually give up their time for the cause,” said Laura.
Lindy Emms, Assistant Manager of the Quadrant Shopping Centre, said: “We’re delighted to have Laurasinging for us at the Quadrant and in such a good cause.
“Many young Welsh men and women bravely serve their country in difficult and dangerous places and it is very important that we show our support for them and I’m sure Laura will get a fantastic response.”
No stranger to using her voice to help others, Laura has already shown her support for the All Wales Bullying Campaign by visiting schools to encourage local children to achieve their dreams.
The opportunity came about after she hit the high notes in the Welsh Factor talent contest where she came runner up earlier this year and was dubbed Swansea’s answer to Leann Rimes by the judges.
Laura is currently working on an Extended Play (EP) with artist Daniel James and is also preparing to release an album of original songs.
But ahead of her performance at the Quadrant Centre, she added: “It will be quite nerve-racking performing in the middle of the busy shopping centre where I work but I hope Swansea will get behind me and help raise some money.”
The event takes place on Friday, July 5 when shoppers will be able to download a copy of Laura’s single on iTunes with all profits donated to the H4H rally team.
