MORE than 1,000 children’s voices have come together across the Diocese of Worcester to make an original CD of songs which pupils will sell to help disadvantaged youngsters in Peru.

The South American country is suffering from the global economic downturn and has had to deal with an atrocious winter. This has left Anglican schools facing closure, leaving many children with few prospects.

As a result schoolchildren across Worcestershire have been composing and recording songs to help schools in Peru.

One headteacher in the capital, Lima, has been cooking and selling food on the streets at weekends in a bid to help her colleagues and her children who, without school, have very few prospects.

The Reverend Ian Spencer coordinated the fund-raising effort where schools were asked to produce an original song for inclusion on the CD.

Peter and Moira Gutteridge from the Worcestershire-based folk band Dampier’s Round recorded all the songs, with Mrs Gutteridge composing a song for Peru which each school also recorded.

Mr Gutteridge said: “We have really enjoyed our time visiting the schools who have taken part in this project. There has been such a range, from tiny village schools, such as Defford-cum-Besford First School, to the large middle school at Alvechurch, but in every case, the concern and the enthusiasm of the children has been amazing.

Pupils at every school demonstrate their empathy with other people their age, wherever they live.”

Mrs Gutteridge said it was an incredible experience to be involved in and had good value for the children involved.

“It was a chance for them to learn not just literacy but also music.

For the children the breadth of education this covers is so much more – these are poor street children in Peru that they are also helping,” she said.

The couple were able to use their contacts with local schools to find eight schools that would be willing to take part in the tight three-week schedule of composing the song and/or writing the lyrics and then rehearsing it to a standard ready to be recorded for the CD.

She said: “It was quite a short time frame the schools were given but they really rose to the challenge.”

The schools that took part in the project were St Barnabas CE First and Middle School in Drakes Broughton, Pershore; Pinvin First School; Pedmore Primary School in Stourport; Alvechurch Middle School; Defford-cum-Besford CE First School, Defford; Fladbury First School, near Pershore; St Nicholas’ CE Middle School, Pershore, and Cropthorne-with- Charlton CE First School, Pershore. Two Pershore High School pupils – Emma Hildesley and Fran Haines – also sang a duet for the final track on the album.

The album was launched by the Right Reverend Dr John Inge, Bishop of Worcester, at St Barnabas’ School.

Paul Kilgallon, headteacher at the St Barnabas CE First and Middle School, said the children enjoyed the experience.

He said: “First and foremost it was to raise their understanding of children in other parts of the world living completely different lives to theirs.

“They really loved the project. It captured their imagination as there was a definite purpose to what they were doing. They tried really hard and they also are so proud of the finished CD that has their names on it.”

Mr Spencer said: “Song is a natural response to the experience of life, and the children and teachers of Worcestershire church schools have responded wonderfully to the needs of their friends in Peru.

“I hope that folk will buy the Songs for Peru CD, not only to help the schools in Peru, but also to witness the amazing talent of the children in our own diocese and their desire to help other children.

Huge thanks go to the team who have made the album a reality.”

The bishop said: “I am delighted that children in Worcestershire have responded so warmly and creatively to the needs of their brother and sisters in Peru. Their efforts will make a real difference.”

The album is available to buy, priced £5, at hollandhouse.org or at participating schools.