Derry mayor Michaela Boyle urges virtual jazz revellers to consider donations to Foyle Women's Aid and Koram

The COVID-19 crisis has significantly restricted fundraising streams for all local charities and the closing of the Mayor's Diary since mid March has led to the cancellation of a number of fund raising events including her Flag Day on St. Patrick's Day.

The Virtual Jazz Festival Sofa Sessions from Thursday May 7 – Sunday May 10 will allow music fans to enjoy live performances through the City of Derry Jazz Festival Facebook page and will include interactive initiatives such as dance classes.

The event is being broadcast for free however viewers will be invited to make an online donation to the Mayor's charities through links on the Council and Jazz Festival websites.

"Excitement is really building for next week's Virtual Jazz Festival since it was announced last week," she said. "I'm delighted that local and international acts will have the opportunity to perform to an audience again and that the joy of live music can be brought to the public's homes while they are confined to them.

"Events fundraising is the main income stream for our local charities and that source has been almost completely wiped out during the current restrictions.

"That is why I am asking everyone enjoying the Jazz Festival next weekend to make a donation to my charities if they can afford it.

"The Koram Centre and Foyle Women's Aid both continue to offer critical intervention services to protect the well being and safety of local people during the current restrictions and they rely on the financial backing of the public to continue to offer that support."

The Koram Centre in Strabane have a team of experienced and qualified counsellors and psychotherapists who offer professional therapeutic intervention and psychosocial support to people in distress.

Their services include face to face counselling, integrative and person centred cognitive behavioural therapy, child and adolescent counselling, solution focused brief therapy, EMDR, art therapy, addiction counselling and psychodynamic counselling.

Derry based Foyle Women's Aid is a charity that aims to eliminate domestic abuse and sexual violence by raising awareness, preventative educational advice and support.

The service provides secure, supported, short term accommodation at confidential locations and works to meet the needs of children and young people who have experienced domestic abuse.

Online links to donate to The Koram Centre and Foyle Women's Aid are live now at derrystrabane.com/mayor/charity and cityofderryjazzfestival.com/.