A YORK-born pianist whose mother is from the Philippines is to take to the West End stage alongside musical theatre stars to raise money for the Typhoon Haiyan relief appeal.

Emmanuel Vass, 24, was born and brought up at Melbourne, near Pocklington, after his mother, Sheila, came to the UK with her English husband, Emmanuel’s father, Nick.

His soaring career as a classical pianist saw him perform for the Philippines ambassador in London, and when West End producer and theatre owner Cameron Mackintosh contacted the embassy about staging a charity concert after the devastating typhoon last year, Emmanuel’s name was put forward.

Emmanuel said: “It’s a real honour because not only is it for a very good cause, but it’s rare for a classical pianist like me to perform in the West End, which is musical theatre territory. The other performers on the night will be musical theatre stars – big name stars.”

Manny will perform alongside singer Joseph Apostol, originally from the Philippines, who reached the semi-finals of last year’s TV talent show The Voice, actor Hugh Maynard, who is set to star in this year’s West End revival of Miss Saigon, and the Olivier award-winning actress Julie Atherton.

Emmanuel’s father Nick said: “I know the area hit by the typhoon very well – I used to work in Sibu.

“Although our family weren’t affected by it directly, everyone in the Philippines was affected because the area that was hit is so heavily populated and everyone has family or friends there.” Emmanuel’s sister, Natalie, is currently visiting her uncle in the Philippines, he added.

The concert takes place at the Queen’s Theatre in London on March 2.

Children from a York primary school are also supporting the disaster relief effort and have raised more than £1,400.

St Aelred’s RC School held a sponsored walk from school to St Nicholas Fields, half a mile away, and raised £1,404.39 for CAFOD’s Philippines appeal.

The school’s Helena Fowler-Towse said: “When we got to the park, we lit candles and said prayers for the people affected by Typhoon Haiyan, remembering the terrible devastation.

“An amazing fundraising time was had by the whole school and our supporting community, from the Foundation Stage to Year 6, along with our teachers, parents and grandparents.”