Christo Williams, co-founder of Abundant Life City Mission, Jehoiakim Fortune and Bronwyn Williams.
Image: Picture: Supplied
Ottery musician Jehoiakim Fortune, 17, beamed as he received the gift of a guitar at a fund-raiser for music development.
Christo Williams, the host and co-founder of Abundant Life City Mission church, in Grassy Park, said they surprised Jehoiakim with the guitar after Jehoiakim helped raise funds for tutoring aspiring young musicians.
The fund-raiser was held on Saturday ("Young musician to host concert for aspiring talent", Southern Mail, May 2025).
Mr Williams said: "It was a community of generous people who supported this great initiative. We still need more musical instruments but we kept the promise and commitment. It was a night filled with musical mastery with the young band playing with Jehoiakim. Our desire is that they continue by furthering his music career and also giving back by teaching others. The Abundant Life City Mission Music classes will continue”
Mr Williams said they still need a variety of musical instruments. “Bass guitars, amplifiers, keyboards and sound equipment. We appeal to people who can help us get equipment as we would like the sounds of music to resound in Ottery.”
As Ottery continues to experience gang violence and shootings, Mr Williams said they want to stop the “sirens and violence” and instead work towards “notes of hope”.
For more information about where to donate, email christowilliamz@gmail.com or WhatsApp 062 860 9187.