FROM THE HEART

Charity fundraising through sport.

An autograss enthusiast from Drefach Felindre will appear on a new single composed by the UK autograss community who have come together to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. By Anwen Francis

Heidi Deeley features as a soloist on the single called Autograss Allstars and the money raised will go to a charity very close to heart.

Heidi, a former Ysgol Gyfun Emlyn school pupil said: “I’ve not sung solo since I used to compete in the Eisteddfods in school; now days I only sing in the shower so this was completely out of my comfort zone. When I was asked to take part I couldn’t say no especially as it’s raising money for Cancer Research UK; a cause very close to me and my family after losing my dad, Mick, to Cancer in October 2013.”

The original idea for the single came about in 2013 by Gareth Jones, a Teifi Autograss Club member. But having spoken to others about legalities and costs as well as getting all the voices together, it was agreed that the project was just too big. But in 2017 things, changed.

Gareth said: “We started talking about it again and this time we set the wheels in motion. So many of our members have been affected by cancer, and so 75 members got together to take part. Over the years, we’ve lost lots of characters to the disease and it affects friends, families, everyone, so this was a great idea.”

Heidi is a well-known face in the world of autograss racing and so was her father. Taking part in this single has been emotionally difficult for Heidi but she’s so glad she did it.

“I’ve been involved in autograss throughout my life. My Dad joined autograss in the 80’s and naturally I started racing, but not until my 19^th birthday 10 years ago, I jumped straight into my Dad’s V8 chevy class 10, under his TA99 number.”

Since then Heidi has won the British Autograss series twice, the first time in 2015 and the second time this year. She hasn’t managed a Nationals title yet, but came a close second this year and the closest she’s ever come to lifting that top spot.

The single wasn’t easy to compile with singers living here, there and everywhere, but they managed it and hope to raise a lot of money.

Heidi said: “I was emotional when we practiced in Walsall back in October. At the time, I put this down to the four year anniversary since dad passed away the week before, so emotions were already high before it started. However when we came together in Llangennech, Llanelli beginning of December to record, it was definitely a mixture of thinking of dad, others who can’t be here due to this illness and the chills I got when listening to the recording with all four choir voices combined in the studio – it was just breath-taking and the tears followed shortly after hearing it for the first time.”

Contributors to the single come from all over the UK and Ireland and sing To Where You Are by Josh Groban and see You Again by Wiz Khalifa from Fast and Furious.

The single can be purchased from visiting www.AutograssAllstars.co.uk/Store.