MAKING music will help a group of teenagers from York and East Yorkshire bring some harmony to people’s lives in Africa.

Jessica Holgate, who was a finalist in the BBC Radio 2 Chorister Of The Year competition last year, has gathered together a group of talented young musicians for a fundraising concert.

York choirgirl Isabel Suckling, 12, the youngest classical artist signed by Decca Records, is among those due to sing at the event, called Jessica And Friends, on March 12, at 7.30pm, at St Paul’s Church, Holgate.

The concert will be a combination of duets and solos, with music from various genres including sacred, classical and musical theatre.

There will also be a cello and piano recital.

It is to raise cash for Jessica and five other pupils from York’s Manor CE School, plus a group from Driffield School, to travel to Malawi.

They will help to build a chicken farm, work alongside the York-based MOSES charity with Aids orphans at an after-school project, help in various ways in a rural village and with a group of women making crafts for a sustainable living.

Bags made by this group will be on sale at the concert. Jessica, 16, from Acomb, said: “I am really excited about the trip to Malawi. It is a rare opportunity to do something helpful on such a large scale. I know it will be hard work and I will probably return physically and emotionally exhausted, but happy. I am also looking forward to the concert. Singing is what I love, so raising money in this way seemed to be the obvious choice for me.”

Manor head teacher Brian Crosby said: “We are delighted to support young people transforming their world and committing their time and resources to making a difference and that Jessica is holding the concert at St Paul’s to generate funds for the project. I am sure it will be a thrilling concert.”

The MOSES charity was founded in 2003 by trustees Dave Grainger and Helen Salter while they were living in Malawi.

They set up the charity to financially support orphans by paying their school fees and contributing to the costs of items such as stationery and books.

Tickets for the concert cost £5 and can be requested by emailing concertforjessica@hotmail.co.uk