New Directions Supports Ambitious Children in Need Plight

On November 16th a remarkable Cardiff-based youth organisation will be responsible for one of the most ambitious fundraising events ever staged by a voluntary organisation to support the BBC Children in Need Appeal.

Hybu Pobl Ifanc has brought together a choir of 1,000+ young voices – drawn from schools and colleges across South Wales, who are accompanied by an Orchestra from the Royal College of Music and Drama, to stage a concert in the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena. The team have succeeded in attracting star guest performances from West End superstar John Owen-Jones and Soprano Gwawr Edwards. John Owen-Jones is fresh from his success as the Phantom in Phantom of the Opera, and his record breaking run as Jean Valjean in Les Miserables. The evening will be presented by Behnaz Akhgar with a special guest appearance from Pudsey Bear.

The concert will feature a wide variety of music, and the huge logistical challenge of co-ordinating and conducting such a formidable gathering of young voices falls to the Musical Director Jeff Ryan. Volunteers from Hybu Pobl Ifanc, who originated the idea, will be working hard behind the scenes and in front of house to help give the audience a night to remember.

Hybu Pobl Ifanc is a voluntary organisation with members aged 16-18 from Cardiff, Newport & Blaenau Gwent who work to develop their volunteering skills and gain experience of event management to benefit others. Over the years they have raised tens of thousands of pounds in support of BBC Children in Need, but this is by far their most ambitious undertaking to date.

Co-ordinator Gill James comments “This is young people supporting young people, learning valuable skills in the process, and helping raise resources for children who really need their support. Being able to do this with the active support of two internationally renowned musical stars is a tremendous boost, and I hope the Arena will be sold out on a memorable evening.”

Jeff Tune, Chairman of New Directions – sponsor for the event added “This time of the year, the Children in Need efforts are very close to our hearts. We work within the communities the event aims to raise funds for, and we want to add our support. We would implore people in the area to get involved, buy a ticket, offer a donation, give something back’.

Tickets for the event are now available, and can be purchased via Ticketline: Tel – 0844 8889991 www.ticketline.co.uk/order/tickets/13276220