An annual festive charity concert takes place tomorrow night, with the organisers hoping to raise funds for the homeless situation on the island.

The ’Lesh Shee As Graih’ concert, which translates from Manx Gaelic as ’With Peace and Love’, takes place at St Ninian’s Church tomorrow night (Friday), from 7pm, and features the Jeff Jepson band, Anna Goldsmith, Christy DeHaven and the organisers Truman Falls, along with the special guests the Ballacottier school choir.

This is the third year that the concert has taken place, and again this year, all funds are going towards the Manx homeless charity Graih.

Simon Rea, the singer with Truman Falls, said that they hope that the night will create a suitably festive atmosphere and also raise awareness for the work carried out by Graih.

’I didn’t really know that much about them or the homeless situation when we first started the concerts,’ said Simon.

’But we have since met with the charity, and visited their offices, and I was amazed by the size of the homeless problem on the island. It is such a hidden problem here, and the problem is growing.

’We all felt that we wanted to help as much as we could. We want to raise as much money as possible for Graih, but also to help raise awareness, and to get as many people talking about the homelessness situation here as we can. ’And also especially just to get everybody looking out for everybody.

’We don’t see this event as giving to charity. We call it sharing.

’We really do want to keep this as an annual event,’ he continued.

’This is our third year, and we are committed now to making sure this concert happens each Christmas now. We are very thankful to John Coldwell, who lets us have the use of St Ninian’s church to play in. It is a great space for a concert, and whenever we have played there it always feels very special.

’This really has become my favourite night of the year. We all get the chance to relax and have a lot of fun on stage, and just enjoy the occasion and life itself. Everyone is ready and up for a party, and it creates a lovely atmosphere.’

Tickets are £5, available by emailing [email protected].