Musical stars plan to tackle world poverty

from The Belfast Telegraph

By Claire McNeilly

A group of local Ulster singing and dancing stars have pledged to bring the curtain down in a bid to help tackle world poverty.

Fortwilliam Musical Society will host two concerts in aid of the charity Serve, which runs outreach projects throughout the world.

Two performances of A Selection from West End to Broadway are due to take place this week in Ballymena and Belfast, as part of a sustained fundraising initiative.

Both concerts, celebrating songs from popular shows, will be sponsored by the Council of the Knights of St Columbanus as their project for 2007.

Belfast man Des Doherty, who is a council member, said that all proceeds from the concerts will go to Serve as a much-appreciated boost to their coffers.

"We have travelled throughout the entire area of counties Antrim and Down to promote this," he told the Belfast Telegraph.

"Each year, young adults from all parts of Ireland, aged between 18 to 35, go overseas as volunteers to different parts of the globe.

"For this work to continue, fundraising is needed and we would like to be able to help make a difference for these deserving projects."

Serve is committed to tackling world poverty. In particular, the organisation strives to combat youth property and to pro-actively unleash, nurture and retain youth capacity.

A concert will take place at the Adair Arms Hotel in Ballymena on Friday at 7.45pm. Tickets cost £20, including supper, and can be obtained at reception.

A second concert will be held on Sunday at St Malachy's College, Antrim Road, Belfast. Tickets cost £12 and can be obtained at Clonard reception. Otherwise call Des on 07980 913 975.