More than 40 samba drummers are taking part in two fundraising events for the Philippine disaster fund this weekend in Liverpool.
Liverpool Batala are taking to the streets to drum up much needed support by playing their samba reggae tunes in Liverpool City Centre on Saturday 30th November and at the Santa Dash on Sunday 1st December.
Band leader Ritchie Tunstall said ‘this epitomizes the spirit of Batala. We are a worldwide organization with Batala in many countries. We are like one big family and it was at the suggestion of the band that we drum for the day on Saturday as a fundraiser for our friends in the Philippines. All band members are getting family and friends to sponsor them and we have set up an online donation page if anyone would like to donate that way:
The band will be taking it turns between the drums and the buckets and are confident that the people of Liverpool will dig dip and be generous.
‘We are very aware that it’s Christmas and that most people who will be around on Saturday will be shopping for gifts. But knowing our fellow scousers they will also be very aware that for the thousands of families in the Philippines the best gift this Christmas will be donations’ says Ritchie.
The band will be drumming for three 45 minute sessions and you will be able to see them between 11 and 4 around the Church Street and Williamson Square areas.
On Sunday they will be in full Santa costumes and will be at the finish line to congratulate the thousands of Santas all running for their individual charities.
Although the band won’t be collecting at the Santa Dash, for the band members it will be another three hours of solid drumming to add to the sponsored drumathon!