THOUGHTFUL youngsters were rewarded for their charity work by an aria from an opera star.
The recital came about after the children, from Hartlepool's St Bega's RC Primary School on Teesside, filled 93 shoe boxes bound for Romania.
When their headteacher, Mike Cooney, was handing them over to the Teesside charity Convoy Aid, he was introduced to the Romanian opera singer Mihaela Ionescu, who is staying in the area.
Convinced that the youngsters would like to meet her, he invited the star of the Black Sea Philharmonic to visit them.
He was delighted when she offered not only to give her personal thanks, but to perform for the young aid workers.
"Rod Jones, the founder of Convoy Aid spoke to the children, then the opera singer performed for them," said Mr Cooney.
"It was absolutely riveting. Most of the children had never heard opera like that and they really enjoyed it.
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