Newtownabbey student helps raise funds for children living with cancer

Students from Belfast School of Performing Arts (BSPA) have come together to release a single to raise funds for the Cancer Fund for Children.
Sophie Wilson.Sophie Wilson.
Sophie Wilson.

During lockdown, the group of 115 students, including Sophie (11) from Jordanstown, have recorded their own virtual version of Gary Barlow’s song ‘Sing’.

Peter Corry, Artistic Director at BSPA, which has a total of eight schools across the province says it has been a challenging but heartfelt and positive experience for all the young people involved.

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Mr Corry said: “At BSPA we believe in the importance of helping others, we had recently just secured the Cancer Fund for Children as our designated charity and with our 10th anniversary coming up in January 2021, it felt like the right time to create something very special, current circumstances meant that we needed to adapt from our norm and we have created a virtual song.

“Creating this song has been such fun and students have been so enthusiastic, each rehearsing and recording the song in their bedroom, living room or garden, they have all given it so much passion and joy and as you can see and hear, that really shines through.”

Sophie Wilson from Jordanstown attends BSPA Belfast South. She said: “ I really enjoyed being involved in this virtual choir and singing this lovely song.

“It was a new challenge to sing without the choir around me but I really enjoyed the experience and can’t wait until everyone hears the end result, I hope we can raise lots of money for this very special charity.”

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Jane Hoare, Head of Fundraising, from the Cancer fund for Children is delighted that the money raised will go towards the charity.

Jane explained: “As a charity we rely heavily on fundraising from events and activities that have had to be postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which has had a major impact on our income.

“However, cancer and how it affects children and families will not stop during this, and neither can we. To hear this song and see how much effort and thought has gone into it by the students at BSPA gives me a great sense of appreciation and I’d like to send a very big thank you to all involved for thinking of Cancer Fund for Children at this time.

“The monies raised will go towards funding our organisation which is continuing to work with families remotely, delivering individual and group support to children and young people, by phone and online, helping to reduce isolation, respond to any worries they may have, and crucially connect them with other young people experiencing cancer.”

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