'My character, 'Leslie', is very confident, always chasing girls - I'm totally not at all like that!' shared the 18-year-old at rehearsals last week.

From June 25 to 27, the Institute of Technical Education student will take the lead role with 100 youth performers in a charity concert titled 'I Have A Lot!' by the Trinity Christian Centre, a Pentecostal church, at its Paya Lebar branch.

Funds raised from the three-day performance will go towards The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund (SPMF). Trinity hopes to raise at least $100,000.

The performers, who are between 14 and 19 years old, are volunteers from various schools. Ten are national servicemen.

Miss Delise Yang, 17, who plays a student struck by tragedy in the 90-minute musical drama, said she was hooked from the start: 'What drew me was that it was going to be for charity. Every time I go for rehearsals, I feel that I'm doing my part to help the community.'

This is the first time Trinity Christian Centre, with about 6,500 members, is donating money to SPMF. Church senior pastor Dominic Yeo said: 'We were moved by the plight of schoolchildren going through the day hungry.

'In such times, as more parents are jobless or financially challenged, we foresee that an increasing number of youth will be going to school without pocket money.'

With low-income families battling rising costs amid the recession, SPMF wants to raise $5.7 million - its highest target since its inception in 2000 - this year. The money will go to about 11,000 school-going children who cannot afford to buy food at recess.

Tickets are available on Saturday and Sunday at the church's two locations in Adam Road and Paya Lebar Road. Each ticket costs $15. For inquiries, call 6468 -4444.

YEN FENG