AN INCREDIBLE woman who was left unable to walk after breaking both feet in a horrific head-on crash on the Denbigh Moors has joined forces with Jules Peters to launch a new choir - after music helped carry them both through some of the darkest chapters of their lives.
Alaw Llwyd Owen, who lives in Tremeirchion but is originally from Llanddoged near Llanrwst, was left with a long road to recovery after the 2018 collision, spending three months in hospital before returning home to begin her rehabilitation.
But throughout her recovery, music became a constant source of comfort, strength and hope - from her parents playing her favourite songs while she lay in a coma in intensive care, to eventually returning to the choir she conducted before the crash.
Now, Alaw, 38, and Jules, another remarkable woman who has spoken openly about how music has helped her following the death of her husband Mike, frontman of The Alarm, have come together to launch The Red Lion Choir at The Red in Dyserth - Côr Y Llew Coch.
Jules, who shares sons Dylan and Evan with Mike, who died on April 29, 2025, was introduced to Alaw last year.
The women immediately bonded over their love of music and the way it has helped them both face trauma and continue to live a good life.
"Alaw joined myself, Dylan and Evan on our El Camino Spain hike in April this year on behalf of our charity Love Hope Strength. Everyday we sang together as we trekked over 15 miles a day with the accompaniment of acoustic guitars from our fellow trekkers.
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"The idea of singing together was born out of the footsteps of the El Camino.
"Singing and the power of music helps to sustain me personally in my grief as I learn to live a life without the love of my life and music has helped Alaw rebuild herself.
"I was so proud of Alaw walking over 15 miles a day on our Love Hope Strength trek after the trauma of her accident which initially left her unable to walk.
"We hope that Côr Llew Coch can help others through the power of music and harmony."
Alaw was on her way home from work in Bala when the head-on-crash happened on the A543 near Denbigh on October 2, 2018. She had to be cut free from her vehicle and suffered multiple injuries to her head, abdomen and limbs, with breaks to her ribs, wrist, forearm and feet.
Alaw was taken to Aintree Hospital in Liverpool following her accident, where she spent five weeks in intensive care.
She was then transferred to Glan Clwyd Hospital in Bodelwyddan and later, Ruthin Community Hospital.
Alaw said: "After spending three months in hospital following a head-on collision on the Denbigh Moors, I made it home just before Christmas to start my rehab journey - little by little. Fair to say that we, as a family, never looked back or too far ahead, just put our energy into what was needed there and then to make the next steps as easy and pain-free as possible.
"One thing that's been a constant medicine and an amazing pain control since the start is music.
"My parents used to put my favourite songs on the CD player by my bed whilst I was in a coma in ICU and there is no doubt in my mind that has been a healing factor, for my brain but also subconsciously gave me comfort and happiness.
"Once I was in the comfort of my home, and quite early on in my journey of recovery there were three things I implemented quite quickly - physiotherapy, therapy and returning to the choir I conducted at the time of the accident.
"These three things were my scaffolding, holding me together and giving me strength to build myself back up again.
"Sitting in an office chair with two feet in cast boots in front of the choir for the first time is a feeling and memory I will never, ever forget. It gave me so much strength, purpose and hope in a time where I’d lost a lot of what I once knew. In an unfamiliar situation, music and our community choir gave me familiarity, feel good factor and something other than my recovery to concentrate and focus on.
"Music has been a powerful force in my life, and remains to be to this day, and if I can share some positivity through the power of music, and hopefully help each other feel better and stronger in ourselves through music, then I’m definitely in my happy place."
The Red Lion Choir - Côr Y Llew Coch will launch at The Red, Waterfall Road, Dyserth, on Tuesday, September 15. Doors open at 7pm.
Everyone is welcome, although attendees must be aged 20 or over.
The choir is a chance to come together, relax and experience the wellbeing benefits of music.
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