TOTNES is beating the drum today to support a charity set up to help homeless youngsters in Ghana.
The St Valentine’s Day event called Drumbeat includes afternoon drumming and dance workshops followed by drumming and dance performances, a Scottish ceilidh and a disco. The fundraiser is being supported by mayor Pam Barnes and former mayor David Horsburgh who will be putting in some drumming practice. The event is in aid of Project Okurase which provides help for impoverished, homeless and vulnerable young people in Ghana. It was launched by Totnes drummer Sam Yeboah who was recently awarded an honorary doctorate for his work from the University of South Carolina. Sam said: “We’re already providing food and schooling for a number of children, but we cannot do much more until we have proper accommodation. “Work has now started and we’re getting a lot of help from local builders and architects but it all costs money.”
Sam will also be selling bricks at the event, some of which were sold earlier this year at the mayor’s reception in the Guildhall. Sam added “Everyone has been very generous, children at the Grove School have raised £200.”