THE memory of an primary school headteacher has been recognised five years after her death from motor neurone disease by a donation of almost £3,000 from a North Wales choir.

Côr Nantclwyd, a mixed choir based in the Vale of Clwyd and with more than 100 members drawn from across Denbighshire, Conwy and Flintshire, donated the money from a concert at Theatr John Ambrose in Ruthin in memory of Gwenda Owen for research into the debilitating illness.

They joined with Côr Rhuthun to perform a new song, “Barcud ar y Gwynt” (Kites in the Wind), specially written in Gwenda’s memory by her son, Dyfan Phillips, and then put to music by acclaimed composer and musician Robat Arwyn, from Ruthin.

Mum-of-three Gwenda, the wife of the Rev John Owen, taught generations of school children in her time at Ysgol Pentrecelyn, near Ruthin, and at Ysgol Llandrillo, near Corwen, where she was headteacher.

The Chairman of Côr Nantclwyd, is another of her three sons, Ifor, and he said: “It meant so much to me that the money should go to MND because it will really mean something for the families affected by this dreadful disease.

“Hopefully it can help lead to new treatment for a disease that is now getting much more attention thanks to the efforts of Doddie Weir and Rob Burrow.

“They’ve been fantastic in raising awareness of the effects this has on those who suffer from it and their families and hopefully we can play our part in one day finding a cure.”

Côr Nantclwyd has also been given a helping hand to the tune of £400 from law firm Swayne Johnson have a base in St Asaph and offices in Denbigh, Ruthin, Llandudno, Mold and Tattenhall, Chester.

The firm are represented in the choir’s ranks by Swayne Johnson director and head of agriculture, Caryl Vaughan, who said: “The choir is very special to us all and to the area and draws its members from across Denbighshire and into Conwy and further afield.

“At Swayne Johnson have a strong tradition of supporting local charities and organisations and we set up the Swayne Johnson Charity Fund to make it easier for applications to be made to us for help.

“The fund covers North Wales and Cheshire and it has worked very well and we have helped many recipients and are always happy to receive enquiries.”

The choir are currently working on a song for an album by Ioan Rees and preparing for an appearance at the popular annual Ruthin Festival Top of Town event on the town’s St Peter’s Square, on Saturday, June 29.