Concert celebrates completion of Conwy ship heading for Madagascar

On Saturday (March 2), volunteers who have worked for more than two years to convert Island Reach, an ex-naval supply vessel, into a medical clinic, celebrated its completion.

The concert was held at St Mary’s Church on March 2 at 7pm, and was attended attended by Tojonirina Ramarolahy chargé d'affaires of the Malagasy Embassy in London, mayor of Conwy, Cllr Evie Roberts, and Darren Millar, MS for Clwyd West.

The Côr Meibion Maelgwn male voice choir performed and were supported by Anthony Stuart Lloyd, the Welsh baritone opera singer.

Island Reach. Inset: the boat's new dentist room (L), and one of its four new cabins (R) (Image: YWAM / Newsquest)

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The church was overflowing, and additional seats had to be placed at the rear of the church, with the evening proving a huge success.

Presentations were also given by trustee Richard Leakey, describing how the project came about, while captain Jeremy McWilliam told about the exciting moments of collecting the ship which hadn’t left its mooring for three years.

The ship was moved from the Clyde between Storms Arwen and Barra in 2021, before berthing at midnight in Conwy Harbour.

Volunteers also performed a “flash mob” rising up from among the congregation singing and moving to the front encouraging all to join.

Mr Ramarolahy then thanked the trustees and volunteers for their commitment to the project and spoke of the need of such a facility.

The boat's new GP unit (Image: YWAM)

Many of the population in Madagascar live in remote areas with no access to medical care, except by walking for many hours or even days to get to a hospital, as there are often no roads connecting their villages.

The evening ended by singing the Welsh national anthem and prayer, followed by refreshments and an opportunity to mingle.

The event raised in excess of £1,500 by donations, even though it wasn’t organised specifically as a fundraising exercise.

The boat's new dental unit (Image: YWAM)

Island Reach is due to embark on the journey to Africa on April 9.

The boat, which has been completely overhauled, is a 24-metre ex-naval, two hold, stores tender.

It was purchased by Christian charity Youth With a Mission (YMAM), with the aim of making it a more “liveable hospital ship”.

Volunteers and members of Coleg Llandrillo have also helped repair and update essential mechanical, electrical and electronic equipment on board to make it fit to sail to Madagascar.