Madeleine says thanks to everyone involved in Haiti Fundraiser.

Early evening Sunday 24th January I received a phone call from a member of Bethlehem Life Church in Cefn Cribbwr. The church had collected items of clothing to send to Haiti following the earthquake and wanted to know what I intended to do to aid the earthquake victims.

The next day I rang Neil Davies the head teacher of Myneth Cynffig Primary school and suggested we hold a concert show casing our excellent primary school children's choirs. Neil immediately said yes and the idea was born.

The need for money in Haiti is urgent. With 63% of infrastructure gone, 1.5 million homeless, no means of growing, buying or finding food and water except through emergency relief money is needed now. The earliest it was felt the concert could be help was the 5th February. Then it was suggested that for some schools travelling to Cefn Cribbwr could be a problem so Pastor Roy Lewis at Brackla Tabernacle offered a second venue for the 4th February.

With only nine or ten working days notice, for some schools, the time table was too tight. Teacher's needed to notify parents, plan and rehearse songs. It was a big ask. Despite all of the difficulties the two concerts went ahead and were a great success. At the Brackla concert two teachers from Maes yr Haul, Mrs Kenfig and Mrs Jones prepared the choir to sing Thank you for the Music, Love the Lord your God and I‘m a Small Part of the World. I was especially good to see Mrs Mahoney the recently retired head teacher of the school come along to support the choir.

Trelales came next with Rhian Davies and Carole Lewis taking the choir through The Breakfast Song, Count your Blessings and Whistle Down the Wind. Head teacher Mr Clive Evans was also there urging the children on.

Before we heard the third choir there was a change of tempo. The audience had the opportunity to hear a breath taking talent from Bridgend, Rachael Sterrit. Although only 15 Rachael plays piano as well as any concert pianist. Her two pieces left people stunned by the beauty of her playing.

The third choir was from Archdeacon John Lewis, Judith Dummett conducted the choir who sang Abba Father, hear I am lord and Let it Be. Hear I am Lord was sung with the words also ‘spoken' in British Sign language at the same time. An encore was called for so that the audience could appreciate the song all over again.

The final choir came from Cornelli Primary school with three teachers, Sue Roberts, Kirsty Evans and Sam Chidlow taking the choir through their three songs, This little Light of Mine, Living and Learning and Mae Ganddo Byd Cyfan. Head teacher Mrs Battrick was delighted when the choir sang This Little Light of Mine for a second time while Arch Deacon John Lewis signed the words on stage at the same time.

The concert raised £385 10.

As with al things you learn a lot when you do something for the first time. We learned a great deal from the first nights concert so were prepared for the Friday evening in Bethlehem Life centre.

For the Friday night concert we had three choirs ready to impress. Bryntirion started the evening supported by teachers Sharon Averis and John Ambani and watched by Head teacher Dr Nigel Coombes and several other staff members. The children sang Crying out for Love, Abbefeth Addolug and Colours of the Day.

Cefn Cribbwr singing on home term took the stage with confidence to sing I won't give up, Proud to be Welsh and We are the Young. Huw Irranca Davies MP and Councillor Huw David who also attended the concert, had told me of head teacher Mr Howell's love of sport and we debated whether the middle song was chosen in anticipation of success in the next days rugby match against England. Teachers Elaine Kent and Wendy Jones certainly looked confident.

Our final choir was Mynydd Cynfig and Catherine Brace with the support of Mr Neil Davies and Chair of Governors Mrs Gretta Rogers beamed with pleasure while the children sang You are my Brother, Believe and Hallelujah.

Tesco's had provided biscuits, chocolates and squash for the children at both concerts and they were enjoyed with relish. Pyle Co-op had provided a host of raffle prizes which helped raise further funds during the interval.

After the interval Rob Ashong played two powerful guitar pieces and then al three choirs came back onto the stage. With Bryntirion leading the way the three choirs sang a finale, Proud the theme song for the Olympics. The audience were then invited to join in and sing the song for a second time with the children. This rousing piece ended the concert along with the news that the evening had raised £422.50.

Two magical evenings raising a total of £807.60 with just ten working days to organise. These may have been the first concerts but they will certainly not be the last. Wales is rightly known for its male voice choirs but we also have considerable hidden talent in our primary schools. With more time to plan and prepare everyone can then enjoy future Bridgend Children's choir concerts.