The Association of Lyceum Past Students (ALPS) and the friends of the Manoel Theatre have joined forces to “Help Amanda Smile”.

Amanda, daughter of soprano Karen Camilleri, was born seven years ago suffering from Moebius Syndrome, an extremely rare medical condition that causes facial muscle paralysis. This results in feeding, swallowing and speech problems as well as an inability to smile. When one looks at Amanda one might think that she has a mental impairment and no emotional feelings, as she does not return a smile. This is not the case, and the fact that she is unable to reciprocate with facial expressions makes her even more sad.

Amanda can have a facial reanimation operation in Canada, which will help her to smile for the first time in her life, improve her speech and feeding problems and provide her with a brighter future overall. The only stumbling block is the operation’s price tag of Lm40,000.

In order to help reach this goal, ALPS and the friends of the Manoel are organising a fund-raising activity at the Coastline Hotel on Friday 24 June at 8pm. There will be a one-hour concert of popular classical music followed by a sumptuous barbecue at the Coastline Suite.

Besides Karen Camilleri herself, a number of well-known singers have accepted to take part in the concert with no remuneration. They include Andrew Sapiano, Claire Caruana, Connie Frances Zerafa, Charles Vincenti, Kevin Caruana, Louisella Pace Gouder and Joe Fenech. They will all be accompanied by pianist Cynthia Genovese.

Tickets for this highly-enjoyable evening and its worthy cause are Lm10 per person, but a block booking for a table of 10 will cost Lm9 per head. Each pre-paid ticket will automatically give its holder a chance of winning the best prize in a grand raffle to be held on the night, thanks to the many firms and individuals who have extended their support by offering donations and/or prizes.

Tickets are available from United Travel, Bisazza Street, Sliema (telephone 2133 7251 / 2141 0400); Studiomoda, Naxxar Road, San Gwann (2138 6812 / 2137 6387); Godfrey Muscat (2144 0256); Alfred G. Formosa (2138 3486); or Joe Fenech (2141 0632).