A LOCAL window cleaner in Barry transformed like you’ve never seen him before recently.
John Vinney, 71, dressed as a drag queen, all for the good cause of charity.
On April 24, some of Wales’s leading drag queens enjoyed associating with some of the listening volunteers of Cardiff Samaritans.
The gathering celebrated the adoption of Cardiff Samaritans as the official charity for Queen of the Palace Wales – the Welsh qualifier to Europe’s largest drag festival, Queen of the Palace.
During a break in the evening, local window cleaner and Samaritan John Viney was interviewed about the work of the Samaritans and how the community can help with raising funds and even asking for volunteers.
John’s persona for the night was Samari Tan.
Queen of the Palace Wales was held at Main Stage on Mary Street, Cardiff as part of Cardiff Fashion Week 2024.
The winner of Queen of The Palace Wales will represent Wales at Queen of the Palace - a four day drag extravaganza in Benidorm in November.
Queen of the Palace Wales raised awareness and funds for Cardiff Samaritans which offers a 24/7 listening service phoneline to help people who are at their lowest.
They are particularly keen to reach members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Cardiff Fashion Week and Queen of the Palace Wales event organiser Paula Abbandonato is also a listening volunteer at Cardiff Samaritans in her spare time.
She said: “The sad reality is that people who are marginalised because of aspects of who they are, including gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership status, sex or sexual orientation; are more likely to face exclusion from society.
“This can make them more vulnerable and at risk to adversity - which we know are real factors leading to suicide and self-harm.
“Through Queen of the Palace Wales, we want to not only raise money for Cardiff Samaritans, but also awareness amongst the community of the support the charity gives for people when they are at their lowest.”
For more information, to donate to the local Cardiff Samaritans branch by texting ‘SAMS 5’ or ‘SAMS 10’ to 70450 for a £5 0r £10 donation. If you feel you could be a volunteer, please contact the Cardiff Branch.
Find support at www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
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