THE GOSP-ABILITY choir which performed at the Royal Wedding while raising awareness for mental health issues will perform at Godiva Festival.
The free music festival celebrates its 20th anniversary this year and will take place in the War Memorial Park from August 31 – September 2.
Sandra Godley, an acclaimed Coventry gospel singer, assembled a special choir of 26 individuals who have overcome mental illness or physical disability.
Inspired by the work of Prince Harry’s ‘Heads Together’ campaign, the MOBO nominated singer launched the Gosp-Ability choir in March live on air at BBC Coventry & Warwickshire.
She announced her choir would perform ahead of the Royal Wedding as a gift to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Since then, the group has been on a whirlwind journey and its 12 talented Coventrians have been propelled to fame.
They performed live on BBC’s The One Show ahead of the wedding, and received a letter of support from Prince Harry himself.
And then they sang a specially written song at Windsor Guildhall on the day of the wedding (May 19).
The release of the choir’s charity single – The Big Love Song – also coincided with Mental Health Awareness Week (May 14-19).
They have performed at Coventry’s Food Festival and Coventry Cathedral as part of Tearfund’s 50th Anniversary, hosted by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Their on-going campaign to raise awareness through song, is supported by the Coventry City of Culture 2021 Trust.
The choir is also in partnership with charities which provide frontline mental health support.
Their story has been captured by a world-wide BBC Documentary (The Royal Wedding Singalong) and has received global acclaim.
They have become a shining example of hope and diversity and have a packed diary of performances to look forward to.
Sandra said: “I remember singing at the Godiva Festival in 2014 and it’s an absolute pleasure to bring the Gosp-Ability choir to the festival’s main state. We can’t wait!”
The single ‘The Big Love song’ is available for download on ITunes.
