Suffolk schoolchildren raise £35,000 for Tearfund
Children from 40 schools across Suffolk took part in the “One Christmas” music project at the end of 2008, and in the process raised £35,000 for the Christian relief agency Tearfund.
The main focus was seven live concerts at the 900 seat Spa Pavilion at Felixstowe, but in addition the project produced a CD and a music DVD, and 7000 children heard about the work of Tearfund at their school assemblies. 
The children came from schools in Ipswich, Felixstowe, Woodbridge, Kesgrave, Debenham, Framlingham and surrounding areas.
Organiser, Andrew Rayner, said “The great news we have to announce is that we have now raised £35,000 for Tearfund! This is an awesome achievement, and has well beaten my (what I thought optimistic) target of £30,000.”
The project has grown over recent years, and in 2008 over 1100 children aged 7-11 sang on stage over the seven concerts, and 1800 children were involved in making the CD and DVD. In addition, 45 musicians played and sang on the project, 25 dancers performed and over 200 volunteers helped with stewarding, chaperoning and technical jobs.
During September, all the schools were visited for an assembly, with help from a Tearfund representative, to explain about the needs in other countries, and then again in December to encourage involvement in the project.
Andrew said “The aim of the project was to raise awareness of Tearfund and global issues of justice and poverty and also to give local children an opportunity to be part of a big and exciting music event. We wanted to present the Christmas story in a fun and relevant way, engage the schools with each other and with local churches, and provide a project to bring all together for a common purpose”.
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