The second online fundraising concert organised by Christ the Prince of Peace parish in Weybridge, Surrey, has raised over £4000 for the children of Don Bosco Ashalayam in Kolkata.

The parish has adopted the Ashalayam as a charity, and had planned fundraising events which were thwarted by COVID-19, but when such a valuable cause is at stake, 'the show must go on', and they found an inventive way to safely go ahead by going online. On Saturday 5 September, local country and western duo, Finn and Molly Barry, performed a live-streamed concert of classics to an audience of around 600 viewers, who watched from as far away as the USA. Donations to date tot up to well over £4000. What a brilliant achievement for the team at CPP parish!

Don Bosco Ashalayam cares for and educates street children in Kolkata, and it is a project close to the hearts of many of us the the GBR Salesian Province, with Fr Andrew Ebrahim SDB and several of our Salesian schools doing great work to raise funds and support the children.

In addition to coping with the impact of the COVID-19 crisis, the Ashalayam was damaged in the cyclone that hit Kolkata, so the children have had an especially hard time in recent months. Please keep them in your prayers.

Look out on our events calendar for further live-streamed concerts in the future, and if you would like to make a donation to support Don Bosco Ashalayam, please contact Fr Andrew.