‘Little Folk’ founder Kyle to sing in aid of at-risk species

An Oldcastle-based musician well known to audiences in the Mullingar area – and in particular, parents of small, music-loving children – is to take part in a global live-stream charity event aimed at raising awareness about endangered species.

Singer/songwriter Kyle Riley is best known for running his ‘Little Folk’ music sessions across the midlands, including two in Mullingar on Tuesday mornings. These live classes will hopefully resume at Mullingar Arts Centre in the coming weeks, depending on Covid restrictions.

In the meantime, Kyle has been busy entertaining families online, and in that spirit, he will livestream a special performance this Saturday (June 5) between 12pm and 2pm to raise funds for the Natterjack Programme at Fota Wildlife Park in Cork.

Kyle will be representing Ireland in the SwitchOn Global Telethon, an event created by the School Broadcasting Network Inc (Australian youth charity) which, through stories and song, will help raise awareness and funds for some of the world’s most endangered species.

The non-stop 25-hour online event will unite over 100 entertainers, keynote speakers, wildlife experts, documentary makers and storytellers across every continent, to deliver a global online telethon to raise awareness and funds for 25 endangered species, for 25 hours across 25 countries.

In Ireland, Kyle will be raising funds to support the Natterjack Toad Head Starter programme, which is a wild population augmentation programme at Fota Wildlife Park. The Natterjack toad is Ireland’s rarest amphibian, and the most endangered of its native amphibian species. Habitat destruction has been the most significant factor driving declines in this species’ number. Fota Wildlife Park along with Dingle Aquarium are working with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to protect this species from extinction.

Kyle will be performing live on the day, singing songs, talking about conservation, and telling stories about the Natterjack Toad with Mullingar storyteller Paul Timoney. Kyle has written a song especially for the SwitchOn Global Telethon called ‘We’ve Only One World’, which will feature in marketing and an album especially created for the event.

The Global SwitchOn Telethon will launch 11am AEST Saturday June 5 in Australia (at the Moonlit Sanctuary on the Mornington Peninsular, Victoria), the telethon will then move around the world to New Zealand, Asia, India, Africa, Europe, North America, South America and back to Australia via the Cook Islands and Antarctica, to conclude at 12pm AEST Sunday June 6. Europe will run between 10am to 4pm, with Kyle appearing approximately 1pm to 2pm Irish time.

Looking forward to taking part in the Global SwitchOn event, Kyle said: “I am honoured to be asked to represent Ireland and one of our most endangered species, the Natterjack Toad. Conservation and re-wilding are vital to the survival of not only critically endangered species, but all of our native animals.

“I’ll be in fine company with amazing award-winning artists, musicians, storytellers and environmental activists. Hopefully we can inspire children and their families to take part in conservation efforts. Small actions make big changes.”

All profits raised will go directly to participating non-profit conservation and youth organisations to support their vital wildlife preservation and community action efforts during these challenging times.

For further information on the event, how to contribute to the causes and to view the live stream on Saturday June 5 visit www.switchontelethon.link, or keep an eye on Kyle’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/littlefolkmusicclass.