MUSICIANS will aim to help schoolchildren in India at a special fundraising concert in Oxford tomorrow night.

The event, at the Jacqueline du Pre Music Building in St Hilda’s College, Cowley Place, has been organised by the Rotary Club of Oxford Isis, and money raised will go towards buying computers and equipment for schools in rural India.

The club’s international committee chairman Jeremy Burgess said: “We felt that it was a good idea to support a project in India, and we were put in touch with a Rotary Club out there which was keen to increase the educational skills and employment opportunities for young people in rural areas.”

It is hoped Saturday’s concert will raise £2,500 which will enable the Rotarians to buy computers for 55 rural schools in the southern state of Karnataka – providing much-needed facilities for hundreds of children.

Mr Burgess said: “We believe it will give the pupils the chance to learn computer skills and increase their ability to get employment in the future.

“In this part of India, there is substantial unemployment and a very low level of education, so this will be helping a wider range of young people develop their skills and employment prospects, which is crucial.

“We expect to help many hundreds of pupils over the next few years.”

The concert, which starts at 7pm, will feature performances from the Oxford Fiddle Group, the Kala Arpan Indian Dance Group and a number of other performers, including singers and piano players.

Last year, the rotary club held a concert for a similar cause in Tanzania, also featuring the Oxford Fiddle Group.

Mr Burgess said: “We traditionally have supported several projects in the international field and we felt there was a need for a project in India.”

Tickets for the event cost £15 and are available on the door, or from Mr Burgess on 01865 420644.

fbardsley@oxfordmail.co.uk