A TALENTED young chorister with strong family ties to Cardigan is all set to record his first solo album this autumn but is appealing for help to raise money through a crowdfunding appeal.

Cai Thomas, who now lives in Farnham, Surrey with mum and dad Janey and James and younger brother and sister Dylan and Maia, is a chorister with the St Thomas-on-the-Bourne church choir.

Dad James will be known to many as vet Dick Thomas’s son and was brought up in Cardigan before moving away.

Although the family lives in Surrey, 12-year-old Cai is very proud of his Welsh heritage and is a big supporter of Welsh rugby. Cardigan is very much his second home and the family come back regularly.

Dad James said: “Cai has always loved music and has been surrounded by it since a young age but was a little reluctant to join his primary school choir.

“Five years ago he was persuaded to give St Thomas’ a try with a school friend and the bribe of a Mars bar! After his first choir tour to Germany it became very apparent how much he loved the choir – for its music, experiences and friendships.”

He's an accomplished soloist and has regularly performed both locally and during choir tours in European cathedrals including St Mark’s Venice, Brussels and Cologne.

His singing has gone from strength to strength under church musical director Rob Lewis’ expert guidance and earlier this year Cai’s talent was spotted by the music industry and he is recording his first solo album this autumn but needs financial backing.

“This funding is required to pay for the supporting musicians and recording of the tracks, because smaller record labels do not provide this service and require us to produce a ‘master copy’ of the recordings before distribution,” said James.

A selection of tracks has been decided, with three already recorded - Handel's Laschia ch'io pianga, Pie Jesu from Gabriel Fauré's Requiem and the Welsh folk song Suo Gân.

“We have chosen the repertoire for Cai's album carefully to create a blend of some of the best-loved tracks for treble and orchestra/small ensemble as well as some exciting lesser known tracks which are well-suited to Cai's voice,” added James.

To join the crowdfunding campaign or for more information, go to kickstarter.com/projects/cai-thomas/record-cai-thomas?ref=bfdib2