ChildAid, the annual children´s charity concert organised by The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund and The Business Times Budding Artists Fund, has raised a record $506,000 for the two charities this year.
Thanks to strong corporate support and healthy public ticket sales, the collection for the two-night concert surpassed last year´s sum of $450,000 (The list of sponsors are listed below.). This brings the total amount raised since the inaugural concert in 2005 past the $1.5 million mark.
“This proves that despite the challenging economic climate, the Singapore public and corporate sector have big hearts. It signals to the needy children that our society cares for them,” said Mr Peter Khoo, ChildAid’s organising chairman. “We are truly grateful to everyone for their tremendous support.’’
ChildAid, which opens on Wednesday at the NUS University Cultural Centre, showcases the nation´s best young musical talents. All tickets are sold out.
In all, about 80 performers aged 6-19, will be performing. Guest-of-Honour Dr Ng Eng Hen, the Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence, and SPH Chairman Dr Tony Tan, will grace Thursday’s Gala Night.
Acts to watch out for include 12-year-old Singapore vocal powerhouse Julia Abueva, who was featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show as one of the world’s most talented kids.
The youngest student in the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory’s Young Artist Programme, 12-year-old Choon Hong Yi, will also take centrestage with his violin, accompanied by his older brother, Hong Xiang, on the piano.
For the first time, ChildAid will also feature two international talents – 12-year-old Hongkong pianist Aristo Sham, the 2007 HK Young Artist Award winner, and 10-year-old Tiger Onitsuka from Japan. Tiger is the world’s youngest professional drummer.
Included in Thursday’s Gala Night are social workers from all the family service centres in Singapore, who have once again been invited as special guests.
“This is a ChildAid tradition. It is our way of recognising these social workers for their outstanding service to the School Pocket Money Fund and the Budding Artists Fund,” said Mr Khoo.
ChildAid Sponsors 2008:
GOLD sponsors ($50,000 and above)
Cerebos Pacific Limited $50,000
Citibank $50,000
New Creation Church $50,000
Overseas Union Enteprise Limited $50,000
SILVER sponsors ($30,000 to $49,999)
Cartier $30,000
Capitaland Hope Foundation $30,000
BRONZE sponsors ($10,000 to $29,999)
Seagate Technology $25,000
Stuttgart Auto Pte Ltd $25,000
HSBC $16,282.88
Tomo Izakaya $15,000
Tat Hong Holdings $10,000
OCBC Bank $10,000
Resorts World $10,000
Tat Hong Holdings $10,000
UBS Wealth Management $10,000
United Overseas Bank Limited $10,000
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