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Gabriel Lim, 15 and Selina Tang, 14, performing 'Navarra' by Pablo de Sarasate. The event raised a record $506,000 for The Straits Times Pocket Money Fund as well as The Business Times Budding Artists Fund. -- BT PHOTO: YEN MENG JIIN
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CHILDREN of all ages came together to do their part for charity in musical extravaganza ChildAid and raised a record $506,000.
ChildAid is an annual showcase of young musical talent organised by The Business Times and The Straits Times to raise money for underprivileged children. The National University of Singapore?s Centre for the Arts was the venue and production partner.
Over two nights - December 3 and 4 - almost 3,200 people attended the show with all tickets snapped up. For the first time, ChildAid featured two international talents - 12-year-old Hong Kong pianist Aristo Sham and 10-year-old Tiger Onitsuka from Japan, who is the world's youngest professional drummer.
Corporations also did their part by donating generously. More than half a million was raised this year, even in the middle of an economic slowdown. This compares with $450,000 raised last year, and $390,000 in 2006.
All proceeds will go to The Business Times Budding Artists Fund and The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund. Over $1.5 million has been raised since the first concert in 2005.
The guest of honour, Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence, said that he was blown away by the performers. "It was wonderful, full of budding talent and it warms the heart to see all these great performers," said Dr Ng.
Other VIP guests included Singapore Press Holdings chairman Tony Tan.
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