RAISING money for the threatened Natal Children’s Home went with a swing yesterday as more than 500 people gathered in the Botanical Gardens for the Garden Concert.

The concert is an initiative of the Maritzburg Musicians’ Club. It aims to raise funds to save the children’s home from possible closure due to a shortage of funds.

Event organiser Dee Bedingfield said the event is a platform that gives the home a percentage of the proceeds and to allows it to use the stage and resources to launch a pledge campaign.

“After reading about its plight in The Witness, we decided to do something and at the same time we gave musicians a chance to perform,” said Bedingfield.

Among the performers were acclaimed Johannesburg band Wonder Boom, Durban Celtic band Celtis and several local musicians, including Derrick Zuma, Paul Nijs, Pan Latino, Ilan Lax and the Hairy Legged Lentil Eaters.

Donor marketer for the Natal Children’s Home Debbie Schroeder thanked the Pietermaritzburg community for coming forward to help after seeing the home’s plight reported in the media.

“There has been a huge response and hopefully by donating as little as R10 per family, it will make a huge difference,” she said. People wishing to donate can deposit money into the account of Natal Children’s Home, Absa Bank, Parktown, account no. 120281135, branch code 514205, reference GC/Your name. For more information, contact the Children’s Home at 033-3422849 or e-mail info@natalchildren’shome.org.za