A CHURCH has raised $222,475 for The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund through a concert and individual and corporate donations.

It is one of the biggest contributions to the fund this year.

The Trinity Christian Centre had at first aimed to raise $100,000.

For the past two nights, more than 120 young people from the church's youth ministry have been staging the sold-out LIFE Charity Concert at the church's premises in Paya Lebar. The run ends tonight.

The 90-minute musical portrays three youths' struggles for recognition, self-worth, acceptance and love.

The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund provides about 11,000 needy school-going children with monthly allowances for school-related expenses.

The church has also given $100,000 to the South East Community Development Council (CDC). A cheque for $70,000 was presented to Mayor Matthias Yao last night after the concert. The other $30,000 was disbursed last month for a programme by the CDC, which supports 2,053 needy students in 13 primary schools.

EISEN TEO