CLONARD Monastery in Belfast was the venue for a concert to mark the end of a major fundraising appeal by Trócaire.
World renowned Derry soprano Margaret Keys and singing trio 'The Priests' were among those to perform on Friday night in aid of the overseas development agency.
Billed as the 'Hope Springs Eternal' concert and hosted by broadcaster Gerry Kelly, the event saw 800 people enjoy a night of classical renditions together with some familiar favourites.
The free event, which also featured the choir from St Dominic’s Grammar School, was staged as part of the Trócaire Lenten Appeal with all donations made on the night being used to support Trócaire’s work in some of the world’s poorest countries.
Siobhan Hanley from Trócaire said "the event was absolutely amazing from start to finish".
"The appeal is our most important fundraising and awareness-raising appeal of the year and this year will see all donations made by the public in Northern Ireland matched pound for pound by the UK government up to £2 million if received before 1st June," she said.
"This extra funding will be used to support thousands of people in Zimbabwe to grow their own food and feed their families. "This support will be crucial as Zimbabweans face critical food shortages in the coming months due to failed rains.
"Farmers are estimating that they will lose 75 per cent of their harvest this year.
"Coupled with this disastrous harvest is the effect of rising food prices.
"As in many countries around the world, including here at home, the war in Ukraine has seen the price of food and fuel sky-rocket in Zimbabwe in recent months.
"This is having a profound impact on people who already had very little disposable income."
