Accidental talent factory: How ChildAid shaped the stars of tomorrow

The event has flourished simply by offering young talent the stage to shine.

- Helmi Yusof

The first person to ever perform for ChildAid was Nathan Hartono. In 2005, Hartono was 14 years old and dreaming of becoming a jazz singer. Eager to perform on just about any legitimate platform that would have him, he agreed to sing at a small inaugural charity concert organised by The Straits Times to raise funds for socially disadvantaged children.

He sang Pure Imagination, a song from a children's movie about how the power of creativity can transform reality into something extraordinary. Little did he - or anyone else involved in the concert - realise how very apt that choice of song was.

Nearly two decades later, both Hartono and ChildAid have grown in ways that no one could have imagined back then. Hartono has gone on to become one of Singapore's most recognisable musical talents, carving a name for himself not just locally but on international stages, including his breakout success on Sing! China.

Meanwhile, ChildAid has evolved into SPH Media's flagship charity event, raising over $30 million so far to support disadvantaged children and youth through its two charities, The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund and The Business Times Budding Artists Fund.

In an interview given years later, Hartono said: "I remember waking up to my big ol' face on the papers, right in The Straits Times Life section. I was 14 at the time and had only been singing for less than a year. It was absolutely unreal, just looking back. It was the first time I ever thought: Oh wow, is this actually a thing now? Does this mean I'm legit?"