WHEN disadvantaged children were asked to make wishes there was one request that cropped up the most – the chance to attend a pop concert.

And now the Worcester Community Trust (WCT) will make those dreams come true with the creation of the WCT Kidz Live 2013 event.

After hatching plans for a concert, the charity has been overwhelmed with support from the city’s businesses, which has resulted in them staging the first music event to be held at the new University Arena on Monday.

Families can now pick up tickets for the show, featuring X Factor contestants Kingsland Road, alongside performances from Olly Murs and Gary Barlow tribute acts, as well as Britain’s Got Talent’s Stavros Flatley.

Sally Wyatt, WCT play co-ordinator, said the concert was set to be an “amazing experience” for the youngsters.

“It would not be possible to take more than 300 children to a concert so we thought why not bring a concert to them especially with Christmas approaching?” she said.

“It will really make their Christmas magical and their faces light up when their wish comes true.”

Throughout the summer, WCT delivered a five-week play scheme supporting children aged five to 12 years who were in the highest need and living in identified areas of deprivation. Children made handprints during sessions and printed a wish on them which were attached to a balloon and released into the sky with their hopes and dreams.

The trust kept a copy of the children’s wishes to make a wish tree and it was while they looked over the submissions that they realised how many children had said they wanted to go to a pop concert but had not had the opportunity. After the wishes sparked the idea for the concert, the support from businesses and organisations saw it grow from being held at one of the trust’s buildings, to the new University Arena. The concert will take place from 4pm to 7pm with doors open at 3pm.

Tickets cost £5 and each child will receive a goodie bag with a Father Christmas hat and a lunch box all donated by local businesses.

Anyone wanting more information should e-mail Amanda@worcestercommunitytrust.org.uk or call 01905 453453.