800 million people have no access to healthcare of any kind. From December 2002 to December 2005 the Knights of St. Columba are working with CAFOD and SCIAF to provide better healthcare for developing countries, as well as tackle the reasons for ill health such as dirty water, poor nutrition and other social factors.

CAFOD and SCIAF place special emphasis on supporting primary healthcare projects, which use simple, low-cost methods at a village or neighbourhood level.

Local people are trained as volunteers and provide information and advice about basic hygiene, immunisation and nutrition for their community.

Thanks to the generosity and hard work of the Knights of St. Columba, many communities now have access to clean water, the next step is to give our brothers and sisters in developing countries access to better healthcare.

Marilla was approached by James Bardsley, an old friend and Knight of St. Columba in Southport and was asked if she would help raise funds for this truly worthy cause. Marilla had worked with James previously in order to raise funds for St. Marie's church. She entertained a large audience at the Floral Hall in Southport, raising several thousand pounds in the process, an achievement she hopes to repeat in November in Liverpool.

'It's not often that I am privileged to contribute to charity in this way. The majority of my time, more recently, has been spent recording and researching new projects such as the newly released Holy Eucharist, a project that is very dear to me. However, when the chance to contribute in such a way presented itself, I was only too happy to help.

'This particular charity is such a worthy one as it affects the lives and well being of so many children all over the world.

'I am so much looking forward to appearing at the Philharmonic Hall, I hope you will come along to the concert to support the truly wonderful work the Knights are doing for the Third World. I look forward to seeing many of my friends on the night. I send my love to you all. May you be blessed with the peace of Christ'.

Tickets are available from the Box Office, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, 0151 709 3789. Tickets are £7.50 & £9.00 (with concessions). Concert proceeds will be donated to Knights of St. Columba, Partners in Health National Action Project, Charity Registered No. 505822.

The internationally famous Crover House Hotel overlooking the beautiful Lough Sheiling in Co Cavan, Ireland provided the stunning backdrop to a wonderful Concert recently given by Marilla, to raise funds for the nearby Kilnacrott Abbey. The Abbot, Fr. Gerard Cusack a keen member of the 'Friends of Marilla' club had invited her to sing there as a thank you from him, to all the supporters of the Abbey.

The evening was a great success and a big turnout ensured a large donation to help with the upkeep of the Abbey. Marilla sang many songs from her Albums and the Irish audience joined in the choruses with gusto, as only they can.

Afterwards she was delighted to meet many of the 'Friends of Marilla' club and it was particularly pleasing to have so many priests in attendance from the surrounding parishes. Also attending was Noel Cusack, brother of Fr. Gerard and Managing Director of Chart Records in Dublin, our Distributors in Ireland.