Concert For Suffering Children To Be Held In Wgtn

Concert For Suffering Children To Be Held In Wellington

Two leading Kiwi Christian bands will be holding a 'cheap as chips' concert in Wellington on Friday 26 November, to spread the message of hope for children suffering because of the impact of HIV/AIDS.

Detour 180, and award-winning Magnify are going on the road over the next few weeks, with eight concerts throughout the country. On Friday 26 November they will perform at Wellington Elim Church with a door charge of only $5. The bands will be promoting World Vision's Hope Initiative, a major campaign to help orphans and widows impacted by HIV/AIDS in Africa.

"The Christmas Hope Tour is a series of concerts that bring together two of New Zealand's finest Christian artists to encourage and challenge us to help this hurting world," says World Vision's Artist Associates Manager Annette Fale.

"Many people are unaware of the severity of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and these bands are setting out to raise awareness and share the hope. World Vision is really grateful to them," she says.

Lead vocalist for Detour 180, Adrian Robertson says they're motivated by a deeper purpose than just playing music. "We don't do music for music's sake. It's got purpose and we want to use it that way."

Magnify, winners of this year's NZ Music Awards for Best Gospel/Christian Album, also has a strong missions focus. "Magnify was formed out of a desire to push music and worship beyond the four walls of the church to the end of the earth," says lead vocalist Ric Knott.

The band will also draw attention to World AIDS Day on December 1. More than 14 million children, mostly in Africa, have lost one or both parents to AIDS, and 22 million people have died already from the pandemic. Another 40 million are living with the disease, which has no cure.

"Being a child-focussed organisation, our concern is for the millions of children who are made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS," says Annette Fale. "This series of Hope Concerts will help raise money and sponsorships for these kids who often end up heading households while they're still children."

For more information, visit http://www.worldvision.org.nz/happenings/calendar.asp

© Scoop Media