The full orchestra during rehearsal with maestro Wang Ya-Hui; having an orchestra is a first in ChildAid's history.

Strong corporate support and brisk ticket sales have pushed this year's fundraising for charity concert ChildAid to more than $1 million, about double the $506,000 raised last year.

The tally crossed the record $1 million mark after Citibank and PriceWaterhouseCoopers pledged $100,000 and $30,000 respectively this week.

The concert is in aid of The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund and The Business Times Budding Artists Fund.

Despite the recession this year, sponsors such as Stuttgart Auto, HSBC, New Creation Church and Cerebos all doubled their donations from last year.

Meanwhile, companies such as F J Benjamin, Pico Art International as well as Yamaha, are also doing their part as corporate sponsors.

Yamaha is supporting ChildAid with the use of a Yamaha grand piano throughout the event, while F J Benjamin is participating as an apparel sponsor by dressing some of the children in Guess Jeans and Guess Kids.

"We believe in what ChildAid stands for, providing a platform to inculcate the volunteerism spirit in the next generation," said F J Benjamin's (Singapore) CEO, Douglas Benjamin.

Mr Benjamin also pointed out that corporate social responsibility does not have to come to a standstill during tough times.

"If a company is creative, it will be able to engage the community beyond just giving financially; it will use its strength to make a difference to the community through various projects and platforms. In essence, it can be the engine of social change," he highlighted.

Pico is also contributing by offering its creative and technical expertise.

"We are excited to be sponsoring ChildAid for the first time and we look forward to any opportunity to play a bigger role in the coming years. We believe it is a truly worthy cause," said Jean Chia, managing director of Pico.

This year, ChildAid (Dec 19-21) will be held at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) - the production partner for the concert - making it the first event to be held at RWS, ahead of its opening next year. Tickets for the concert sold out last week.