News

The Fisherman’s Friends, a shanty singing group of Cornish fisherman, staged a very special concert at the Hall for Cornwall in Truro on Saturday the 5th of November.

The concert was to benefit Children’s Hospice South Wests’ (CHSW) Little Harbour hospice in St Austell, and was also in memory of Seth Dickenson, a devoted young fan of the band who sadly passed away in May 2021 aged just seven. 

All proceeds from the show, which amounted to around £10,000, were donated to Little Harbour, where Seth, his parents and brothers received expert care, advice and support during the final months of his life.

A few months prior to his death, The Fisherman’s Friends were invited by the family to the hospice to sing the little boy’s favourite sea shanty songs to him. 

Their visit in December 2020, stood on the balcony outside Seth’s room to comply with covid regulations, bought immense comfort to him, his mother Sam, father James and older siblings Isaac, Arthur and Rufus.

The group’s moving encounter with Seth and his family inspired them to forge ahead with plans for this charity show as part of their UK tour.

The family attended the concert as guests, and on Saturday the Hall for Cornwall was full to the rafters of people who had come to hear the marvellous voices of the band.

There was plenty of laughter and tears throughout the show, and Area Fundraiser for CHSW, Alice Merrett took to the stage to give a speech on the work of the hospice, and to draw raffle tickets. The top prize was a guitar signed by the group. 

Sarah Stott, Head of Fundraising, said:

We cannot thank the Fisherman’s Friends enough for this wonderful concert celebrating Little Harbour, events like these really make you so proud to work for this charity.

Raising money for causes like CHSW is in the blood of Cornwall’s favourite shanty band, whose performances in their home village of Port Isaac in North Cornwall have always been as much about collecting for charities as raising their voices in song together.