Westlife to hold private concert for school

Westlife are set to hold a special concert to just 50 children.

Westlife are set to hold a show for a group of 50 schoolchildren.

The pop stars will perform at a school in Cork after pupils there won a charity contest.

St Killian's School was chosen out of 1,500 schools by the band on Den TV.

The school was entered into the contest for its efforts in the Pennies from Heaven campaign - a charity drive to collect £5m in spare coins before the euro changeover on January 1.

Headteacher Mary Minihan says excitement is running high among the pupils, who are now enjoying their seasonal holidays.

Ms Minihan said: "A lot of the children were Westlife fans before this - they all are now."

The school caters for youngsters aged between seven and 14 with special educational needs.

The youngsters watched in amazement as Westlife stars Bryan McFadden and Nicky Byrne drew the school's name out of a hat on the television show.

The band will entertain the youngsters early in the New Year.

Some 11 charities will benefit from the Pennies from Heaven windfall including Barnardo's, Concern, Focus Ireland, Irish Cancer Society, the Irish Heart Foundation, the ISPCC and the Simon Community.