SETTLE Amateur Operatic Society (Saos) raised £501 for children’s charity Barnardo’s in its 150th year.

The money was raised through collections at the five performances of the group’s production of The Likes of Us – the first collaboration by Sir Tim Rice and Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, which was written in 1965 and is based on the true story of Victorian philanthropist Dr Barnardo.

The production was staged at Settle Victoria Hall last month.

Pat Harding from Saos said “We only did the five performances, so to raise such a lot of money shows how incredibly generous everyone was.”

“I think the musical really touched people and they wanted to help continue of the work of Thomas Barnardo and give money to such a good cause.”

Barnardo’s east region director, Steve Oversby, said: “We are very grateful to everyone at Saos for collecting this wonderful amount of money, and for singing the story of Dr Barnardo in The Likes of Us. And we’d like to thank their audiences, who gave so generously after the performances.”

“In our 150 year history Barnardo’s has helped transform the lives of millions of disadvantaged children. Thomas Barnardo’s vision remains the core of Barnardo’s work today, as we continue to help disadvantaged children build a better future.”