International bass baritone singing star Willard White has announced he is to be the patron of a North Yorkshire charity which provides support for special needs children.

The announcement comes as the North Yorkshire Music Therapy Centre has launched an appeal to meet an annual shortfall of £25,000 a year.

The star of the film version of Porgy and Bess was performing at Hovingham Hall last night when the Evening Press caught up with him.

"The charity uses music to communicate with children with special needs," said the singer, who is famed for his portrayal of Othello with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

"Music can do wonderful things and can help people - it is a powerful medium which is something I have discovered in performing.

"When I was a youngster I used to get into a foul mood - I found that singing stopped that and made me much happier.

"If it can have this effect then it must be a powerful thing which can help children who are suffering."

The charity, which is based near Malton, is run by music therapist Angela Harrison who met Willard when she was performing with the Halle Orchestra.

"I have always been impressed with his voice and his love of music so he seemed an obvious choice when we decided to seek a patron," she said.

"Music can bring many children with special needs out of their shell and can help them communicate where perhaps they have been unable to in the past using words.

"We work with children who have difficulty with communication, self-expression and controlling their emotions."

In order to continue the level of service it has provided in recent years the charity needs to find funding of around £25,000 a year.

"In their recent business plan the Trustees identified a shortfall.

"Although we charge a fee fortherapy we endeavour to keep costs down and where possible to operate asliding scale for fees.

"Donations are welcomed and there is also an opportunity to join the Friends of the Centre."

Mr White is currently playing Falstaff at a festival in Aix-en-Provence and will soon be heading for Paris for additional performances.

"The Ryedale Festival has an American theme this year and I was keen to get involved," he added.

Having grown up in Jamaica he moved to New York where he made his stage debut in the 1970s.

"We are planning a performance of new arrangements of a range of songs including those of Paul Robeson's," he said.

If you would like to make a donation or join the Friends of the Centre, contact Pennie on (01653) 698129.

Updated: 08:47 Thursday, July 26, 2001