Newtownabbey student helps raise funds for children living with cancer

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. 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.” 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.” -- A message from the Editor: Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so. Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis. With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely. You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up. Thank you.