DESPITE a year of economic turmoil, corporate social responsibility remains high on the list of priorities for many Singapore companies.

They have thrown their support firmly behind the charity concert ChildAid, which is organised by The Business Times and The Straits Times.

More than $600,000 has come in to date - already outstripping the $506,000 raised last year.

Clearly, companies are aware that if there was ever a time where help is truly needed, this is it.

This year, HSBC has donated more than $160,000, making it the biggest donor so far. Other organisations, such as Stuttgart Auto and Cerebos, have also upped their contributions.

At HSBC, education and youth development are causes that clearly hit home.

"Our donation to ChildAid bears special meaning not only for us at HSBC but also for our corporate partners, who are happy that their support is helping to improve the lives of many needy children, and for our talented young people, who take heart in knowing that they are helping to enrich the lives of their peers," said Goh Kong Aik, HSBC's head of group communications and corporate sustainability.

Celebrating its fifth anniversary this year, ChildAid will see some of Singapore's young musical talent take the stage in what promises to be a night to remember. Funds raised from the concert will go towards The ST School Pocket Money Fund and The BT Budding Artists Fund.

BT editor Alvin Tay said that ChildAid's young performers are also doing their part to make a difference.

"Singapore has many outstanding young musicians who want to help," he said. "They motivate the many children we support at the BT Budding Artists Fund."

The BT Budding Artists Fund was set up in 2005 by BT and The Arts House to give underprivileged children a platform to develop their artistic talent.