I'd just been reminded of this through a message on my Facebook and thought it worth posting and keeping.

THE EARTH QUACK THAT DEVASTATED HAITI.

On the 12th January 2010 an earthquake hit the island of Haiti, it was a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake, 16 miles west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital.

By 24 January, at least 52 aftershocks measuring 4.5 or greater had been recorded. An estimated three million people were affected by the quake. Death toll estimated by Haitian government figures from 220,000 to 316,000. The government of Haiti estimated that 250,000 residences and 30,000 commercial buildings had collapsed or were severely damaged.

For what ever reason I was touched by this earth quack and immediately put into action a fundraising event which would be a gala evening at the La Quinta Golf 5 star hotel and for the first time in Spain a charity record in English.

A few months prior to the earth quack the singer Stephen Lloyd Morgan appeared live on my radio show sing a duet of the Prayer. I was so taken by his adaptation of it I chose that song to be the Prayer For Haiti

On a cold wet Sunday morning in January I met up with Stephen Lloyd Morgan and a gathering of some of the best known artists on the Costa to lay down the initial tracks for the song. Brian Hayward Sound Engineering were on hand to make the final mix.

It was an exciting day for us all as this had never been done before and with the stunning performances by Stephen Lloyd Morgan TV´s X Factor super star finalist Rowetta, who i persuaded to lay her part down in a studio in Manchester. WOW factor finalist Becky Tate, The incredible Mayte. The Unity Gospel Singers, Daniel Boland and Tres Divos contributing.
It was all done in a day and a few days later I attended the studio to listen to the final mix. We were all moved to tears. It is something I shall never forget and be proud of for the rest of my life.
The song was co produced by myself, Stephen Lloyd Morgan and Nick Holland Morgan. We also persuaded royalty free release, by kind permission of writers David Foster, Carole Bayer Sager & Andrea Bocelli. Have a listen
The wonderful cover design was by Andrea Bojti Artwork Essential Marbella Magazine. Photography by Johnny Gates and Trevor Brooks and video production by Martyn Wood


I also organised a celebrity golf tournament with UK stars flying over without a fee to participate including Stan Boardman, Kenny Lynch, Dennis Taylor , Mick English. The black tie Gala evening was held on the 5th of February and included performances by Kenny Lynch, Stan Boardman, Stephen Lloyd Morgan and Becky Tate , WOW factor winner Christian Fa, Mel Williams, Daniel Boland, The Unity Gospel Singes all backed by the Marbella Big Band. The Gala was organised by myself with outstanding help from Patti Senker and Nick Holland Morgan
WHAT A NIGHT!. I shall never forget it. We ended up raising over 30,000 € for the Children of Haiti and many more thousands from the royalty paid from the record sales. Every penny was sent direct to the Ark Christian Fellowship who have a base in Haiti. NOT a penny was removed for expenses..

Here is a clip taken from TV at the Gala For the Children of Haiti organised by Maurice Boland.



A message sent from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth: HM The Queen acknowledges Costa del Sol `Help Haiti Campaign´. Her Majesty The Queen has sent her best wishes for the continued success of the Costa del Sol´s fundraising efforts for Haiti. A letter received from Buckingham Palace reads `Her Majesty was interested to learn that the British expatriate co...mmunity in the Costa del Sol have raised over €20,000 for the Haiti Earthquake Fund... Her Majesty conveys warm good wishes to you and all concerned´.