A SCHOOL choir from Bromsgrove have performed to a sold out crowd at one of the world’s most iconic concert hall’s and helped to raise a whopping sum of money for a children’s charity in the process.
Bromsgrove Prepatory School’s year 6 choir traveled to London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall to perform alongside hundreds of other school children in Barnardo’s annual Young Supporters Concert.
The youngsters joined ‘singing sensation’ Heather Small at the historic venue to perform her inspirational hit song ‘Proud’ in the charity’s 25th edition of the concert on Monday (November 25).
The event, which was hosted by the charity’s President, Natasha Kaplinsky OBE, for the fourth year running, saw Heather join the world-renowned Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and 23 school choirs (900 children) from across the UK.
Barnardo’s president Natasha Kaplinsky OBE said: “The funds raised at this unique concert are so important in supporting Barnardo’s vital services across the UK, especially at a time when so many families are struggling.”
Across the evening, Barnardo’s young supporters performed a medley of songs fitting with the event’s theme of ‘Inspire’ to a 3,000-strong audience.
The concert raised £80,000, which will support Barnardo’s work with children and families across the UK.
Recent research published by Barnardo’s found that food bank usage has almost trebled in the West Midlands, as a direct result of the cost-of-living situation, with more than a quarter of parents of children aged 18 and under in the region (28 per cent) struggling to provide sufficient food for their children over the past 12 months.
Heather Small, a former member of M People from Ladbroke Grove, has enjoyed a singing career spanning 40 years.
She achieved sales of more than 10 million albums worldwide with the group, before embarking on a successful solo career.
Alongside ‘Proud’, which is approaching its 25th anniversary since release, Heather has become known for inspirational songs, such as ‘Moving on Up’ and ‘Search for a Hero’, both as a solo singer and with M People.
She said: “It was a huge pleasure to perform ‘Proud’ at the Royal Albert Hall alongside so many wonderful school choirs from across the country to help raise money for Barnardo’s.”
Barnardo’s chief executive, Lynn Perry, was thrilled to see the concert raise such ‘an outstanding’ total.
Visit barnardos.org.uk/get-support/services for more information.
