Britain's Got Talent finalists Only Boys Aloud’s plea as choir faces closure

A Welsh choir charity that reached the Britain's Got Talent finals is facing an uncertain future and is calling on people to help support their cause. Only Boys Aloud, which has supported more than 6,500 boys since launching in 2010, needs to raise £150,000 to save both the Aloud Charity and its famous Only Boys Aloud choir.

Made up of more than 150 boys attending 11 choirs across Wales each week Only Boys Aloud has seen some of its former members go on to huge success on TV shows and musical theatre in the West End. Callum Scott Howells and Tom Hier have gone on to tread the boards on stage and have appeared in numerous big-name films and TV shows.

Callum shot to fame in Russell T Davies' Channel 4 hit It’s a Sin and has since been seen in Michael Sheen's The Way and the upcoming Madfabulous while Tom has had leading roles in West End productions of Miss Saigon, Joseph, and Footloose.

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Aside from professional success the Aloud charity says their work builds confidence, self-esteem, and skills for the future and opens career pathways and enhances mental wellness in young men. Tom, who was one of the founding members of the Only Boys Aloud, said: “The choir’s future is uncertain. For the first time ever we need to ask for public donations – we need your help. I don’t think people understand Only Boys Aloud is run as a charity. Every rehearsal, every concert, every trip costs nothing, which for the boys involved is incredible."

He added: “I joined Only Boys Aloud as it launched. For me Only Boys Aloud is so much more than a choir. A brotherhood, it offered friendship, purpose, and opportunities that changed my life.

“I now perform professionally for a living. And honestly I don’t think I’d be doing what I do today if it wasn’t for the confidence and skills I gained in Only Boys Aloud.”

The choir came third in the 2012 series of ITV show Britain's Got Talent but is now fundraising to keep the choir and its success going. Tom added: "Despite the choir’s incredible success today we find ourselves needing your help. Like so many of you rising costs mean we're struggling financially.

“If we’re to keep the choir going we need to raise £150,000. With this money we’ll be able to keep rehearsals going and ensure that boys in Wales keep singing for another generation to come.”

Choir member Brynley, who lives in Pontypridd, is currently in year 10 studying for his GCSEs at Ysgol Garth Olwg. His older brother was a member and memories of sneaking into the end of practices to watch his brother perform was the key reason he joined. He summed up Only Boys Aloud by saying: “It brings all these different boys from different backgrounds, with different dreams, hopes and ideas, together to make one beautiful big noise doing something they enjoy.”

On a personal level he’s seen himself grow in confidence since being part of the group. He said: “It’s given me a lot more confidence in myself and it’s given me the chance to really push what I enjoy – music. It’s given me a confidence boost and a lot more social skills.

“Without Only Boys Aloud I wouldn’t have such strong connections, friends, and support and encouragement to be confident in myself and what I love doing.” He added: “The bonds you make in OBA are bonds for life.”

Craig Yates, Aloud’s creative director, said: “I’ve worked with Aloud since the beginning and have seen the difference our work makes to so many young people across Wales. We provide inspirational and aspirational opportunities for young people that they would not otherwise have and we do it in a fun way in safe spaces that support our young people to be who they are. I know that members of Aloud become friends for life and that is as important as the music we sing.” For more information, and to donate, go here.