ChildAid 2013 raises new record of more than $2 mil for needy kids

ChildAid 2013 raises new record of more than $2 mil for needy kids

SINGAPORE - More than 160 young performers sang, danced and performed their hearts out to raise the largest amount ever in the ninth edition of the ChildAid concert at Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands tonight.

Organised by The Straits Times and The Business Times, the charity concert raised $2.035 million - a new record sum - for its two youth-related beneficiaries, The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund and The Business Times Budding Artists Fund. Last year, the concert raised $2.016 million.

The Pocket Money Fund provides children from under-privileged homes with pocket money, while the Budding Artists Fund gives children from similar backgrounds the opportunity to develop their talents in the arts.

Mr Lawrence Wong, Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth and Mr George Tanasijevich, President and CEO of Marina Bay Sands, witnessed the presentation of the cheque by Mr Alan Chan, CEO of Singapore Press Holdings Limited, to the two beneficiaries at the close of the 90-minute gala night show.

This year's Carnival theme features youth juggling, walking on stilts and performing aerial acrobatics, to name a few. In the colourful opening sequence, nimble gymnasts from CHIJ (Kellock) pranced across the stage juggling hoops, clubs and ribbons, while others executed perfect cartwheels.

Performers like the Lim siblings Emma, 11, Euan, nine, and Evie, seven, were part of a five-member aerial arts group that wowed the 1,600-audience at the MBS Sands Theatre. Suspended some three metres above the stage by hoops and silk, they executed graceful, gravity defying poses.

Emma Lim, 11, a Primary 5 pupil from Nanyang Primary School said: "I'm very very glad to be able to take part in this event. It just feels special to me. The best part is that we are helping other children."

Vocalist Corey Koh, 11, who performed the duet "Se", from the movie Cinema Paradiso with another vocalist, Ananya Diddapur, 13, expressed similar sentiments about performing at this year's ChildAid. He said: "I get to sing, which is what I like to do and I can get people to donate money - it's like killing two birds with one stone."

"But the main thing is that I can help needy children," added the Primary 5 pupil from Nanyang Primary School.

Some 130 of the performers had auditioned earlier in the year to earn their spots in the show. They were backed by the 33-piece orchestra, made up of members of the Orchestra of the Music Makers and Kids'philharmonic@sg.

Show director Jeremiah Choy said: "As with every ChildAid concert, the highlight is the children who are performing. I am sure the audience can appreciate the hearty and heartfelt performance put up by this year's talented young performers."

This is the second year that the show is being held at the Marina Bay Sands, the official venue partner. Citi Singapore and HSBC are the main sponsors of the show.

There will be two more shows - at 2.30 pm and 8pm - on Saturday, Dec 7.

Mr Patrick Daniel, Editor-in-Chief of the English and Malay Newspapers Division, which includes The Straits Times and The Business Times, said: "Aside from the new record sum raised from generous donors, what makes ChildAid so special and meaningful is the voluntary effort put in by everyone, from the young performers to those working behind the scenes to pull together such a fantastic show."

 

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