THE power of music - and releasing a charity single - has helped a Gwynedd man cope with the grief of losing his father to dementia.

Mark Feaver's 79-year-old father passed away in October 2017 after a long battle with the illness.

Now, the 39-year-old from Bethesda has released a song entitled "Empty Skies" in his honour, with all money raised from the single put towards the Alzheimer's Society.

Mark says that picking up his guitar and singing helped him get over the shock of losing his father.

"Grief became who I was for a long time as I was stunned by how cruel dementia could be," Mark said.

"Being there when my dad passed away was the hardest thing I have ever had to do.

"I had always had a keen interest in music and it has helped me through some hard times in my life.

"As I sat playing around with a few chords I began to sing the first words that came out of my mouth.

"I was singing away my grief. I sat for hours trying to make the song feel like how I was feeling."

Mark's girlfriend Zoe Pritchard worked tirelessly to get people on board to help produce the song.

Local recording studio company Stiwdio Un's Sam Durrant decided to get involved with the project and gave Mark the chance to officially record his song.

"I'll forever be grateful to Sam for that opportunity," Mark said.

"I'd never set foot inside a studio before that and so I was very nervous about playing in front of a producer.

"I'd only ever played in front of a few people and that was in the comfort of my own lounge!"

Eventually, the song was completed within three hours thanks to help from musicians Craig and Mark, who provided bass, guitar, and backing vocals for the track.

Mark's nephew, Mike Williams has designed the cover for his CD and he and friend Craig Roberts are now working together to produce a music video for the single.

"We are hoping to raise as much money as possible for the charity and to ensure the full cost of the CD goes towards it," Mark said.

"I have asked my workplace, Celtest Limited, to sponsor the cost of producing the CD and they have kindly agreed to do this.

"I can’t thank all involved enough for the help, guidance and support they have given me over the last few months."

Mark's single was officially launched during a karaoke and raffle event at Pant Yr Ardd in Tregarth on Wednesday, July 4.