{"id":14783,"date":"2024-12-17T13:08:17","date_gmt":"2024-12-17T11:08:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ceidiog.com\/pr\/?p=14783"},"modified":"2024-12-17T13:08:17","modified_gmt":"2024-12-17T11:08:17","slug":"conwy-teenager-efa-duets-with-welsh-icon-aled-jones-on-tv-in-memory-of-late-sister","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ceidiog.com\/pr\/pr\/conwy-teenager-efa-duets-with-welsh-icon-aled-jones-on-tv-in-memory-of-late-sister\/","title":{"rendered":"Conwy teenager Efa duets with Welsh icon Aled Jones on TV in memory of late sister"},"content":{"rendered":"

A grieving teenager teamed up with Welsh singing star Aled Jones for a touching duet in memory of her beloved younger sister who died aged 13.<\/span><\/p>\n

The poignant performance took place at the T\u0177 Gobaith children\u2019s hospice in the Conwy Valley where Efa Dafydd, 17, said her final goodbyes to Mabli.<\/span><\/p>\n

The moving occasion was filmed as part of a special episode of S4C\u2019s Canu Gyda Fy Arwr (Singing with my Idol), which is set to be broadcast at 7pm on Christmas Day.<\/span><\/p>\n

A-Level student Efa is now a huge supporter of T\u0177 Gobaith which cares for children with life-threatening and terminal illnesses and supports families through their grief.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

She and her family were given the opportunity to use the hospice\u2019s Snowflake room \u2013 a tranquil space giving grieving families a chance to say goodbye to their children in the days before they are laid to rest \u2013 when her sister Mabli died suddenly aged 13 in 2022.<\/span><\/p>\n

Aled Jones, who has released over 40 albums in 50 years and sold over 10\u00a0 million records as well as being awarded an MBE for services to music and broadcasting and charitable services in 2013, has been the hospice\u2019s patron for 20 years.<\/span><\/p>\n

Canu Gyda Fy Arwr, produced by Caernarfon-based production company, Cwmni Da, gives someone special the opportunity to fulfil their dreams of sharing the stage with a Welsh musical icon, regardless of their ability or experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not only do participants get to sing with a chosen Welsh musical star on Canu Gyda fy Arwr, but they will also rub shoulders with two others as Tik-Tok sensation Bronwen Lewis and top tenor Rhys Meirion fronts the show.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Christmas episode will see Bangor-born Aled, who grew up on Anglesey, and Efa performing Mabli\u2019s favourite song, Hafan Gobaith, amid T\u0177 Gobaith\u2019s stunning estuary views.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was really emotional going back to T\u0177 Gobaith with the cameras rolling and remembering the last time I was there, but it was also a connection I shared with Mabli, and I guess it was a reunion of sorts,\u201d said Efa, who attends Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy in Llanrwst and only performed her first solo last year in a school musical.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was really nervous, especially once I was stood next to Aled, but we did a practice run with the presenters, singer-song writer Bronwen Lewis and opera singer Rhys Meirion, before filming for real. To be honest, I\u2019ve not heard myself singing yet and so Christmas Day will be a great surprise. I genuinely couldn\u2019t tell you whether it was good or not!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI started singing when I first lost my sister. My mum and I discovered lots of new Welsh songs, and it really helped the grief journey because we could relate to the lyrics.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAfter my sister passed, I really started looking up to Aled because of his generosity and kindness. He obviously helps T\u0177 Gobaith so much.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt really was an unforgettable experience. Ty Gobaith overlooks the River Conwy where my sister and I grew up. We\u2019d often dance together and have bedroom parties but not much singing went on. She was very much the joker and wouldn\u2019t have let me live it down had she seen me singing on TV!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Mabli died suddenly on April 2, 2022. Tests have been unable to discover a cause, leaving the family with no answers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere was only a year between us and so growing up, we were more like twins,\u201d explained Efa, who has dedicated her time since Mabli\u2019s death to fundraising for the hospice which has included a tractor run which raised \u00a38,600.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a very difficult time and it\u2019s still difficult. There are two ways of looking at it. While there\u2019s no explanation, we are glad we didn\u2019t see her suffering with illness. We try to look at the positives.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAfter my sister had passed, T\u0177 Gobaith hospice offered us a place inside their Snowflake room instead of Mabli being kept in hospital. They took care of her between the day of her passing and her funeral, doing her hair nicely and playing her favourite songs, one of which was Hafan Gobaith. This is why it was chosen for the programme.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSaying thank you would never be enough for me. T\u0177 Gobaith did absolutely everything in their power to help and even now, they\u2019re still taking care of us.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the things that hurt the most in the beginning was not being able to get out of bed. It\u2019s something that has stuck with me because now, the only purpose I feel in life is to help people and I really wanted to help Ty Gobaith so I could keep her memory alive.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The intimate performance sees Efa and Aled singing to a small gathering of family, friends and hospice supporters.<\/span><\/p>\n

Series producer and director Siwan Haf said: \u201cThis show is all about giving people the unique experience of singing with their musical idol.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAled already had a connection with the hospice through his charity work and when we heard Efa\u2019s very emotional story and her special connection with the hospice, it felt right to\u00a0stage the performance in the place that meant so much to them both.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt was emotional, but both felt very strongly that they wanted to give something back to the hospice that had helped Efa\u2019s family. And Aled is so passionate about the charity work he does for T\u0177 Gobaith, it was a special moment for him too.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAled Jones is an icon, and it was a privilege working with him. He really enjoyed being back home. The programme begins with a conversation on a rib ride on\u00a0the Menai\u00a0Strait\u00a0which was exciting and again something unique for\u00a0him as he was able to see the isle from a different angle.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a real feel-good and emotional episode. T\u0177 Gobaith \u00a0welcomed us with wide arms. I\u2019d like to thank\u00a0all the staff and the families for their kind co-operation and\u00a0show the amazing work they do.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Canu Gyda Fy Arwr: Aled Jones will also see Aled returning to his roots and surprising his\u00a0friend and\u00a0accompanist Anette Bryn Parry at his old Sunday School in Llandegfan, Anglesey, where they are treated to a special rendition of his hit, Walking in the Air,\u00a0sung as a duet by two young choristers from Bangor Cathedral, in Welsh.<\/span><\/p>\n

Elsewhere in Canu gyda Fy Arwr: Aled Jones, opera singer Rhys Meirion, who hails from Porthmadog and now lives in Pwllglas, will sing his first duet with Aled on Penmon Beach.<\/span><\/p>\n

Canu Gyda Fy Arwr: Aled Jones will broadcast on S4C at 7pm on Christmas Day. English subtitles will be available and the programme can also be viewed on S4C Clic, BBC iPlayer and other streaming platforms.<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

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