The Sydney Street Choir was joined on stage at the Sydney Opera House today by some of Australia’s top entertainers to celebrate the relaunch of the Choir’s new long term sustainable business model facilitated and backed by leading Australian property company, PAYCE, which includes corporate, education and charity patronage programs, new website and a Foundation Partnership with PAYCE.

The Choir has been performing and entertaining since 2001, making it the longest running choir in the country for people dealing with homelessness and social disadvantage.

Under the newly-formed Foundation Partnership with PAYCE, the Choir will be able to stay together and keep singing after facing disbandment through lack of support.

At the relaunch event, the Choir was joined by pop queen, Deni Hines, Australian Idol star, Paulini and 2013 X Factor winner, Dami Im to perform a number of uplifting renditions of Amazing Grace, Let It Be and Dami’s latest hit, Smile, that had everyone clapping along.

Choir Director James Paul said the Choir had been struggling to meet costs for some time before PAYCE came up with a rescue package.

PAYCE Managing Director, Brian Boyd said it was a chance meeting at the 2014 Lights of Christmas sponsored by PAYCE event that led to PAYCE offering financial and corporate support to the Choir.

“I recall on a wet December evening last year hearing the Choir perform before visitors to the Christmas light show in the city and saw the pleasure they gave people and the joy the choir members shared from singing together,“ he said.

“The Choir put their hearts and souls into their performance and I was concerned to learn they were struggling to remain viable and might have to break-up through lack of support.”

Mr Boyd said it was a privilege and honour to work with James and the Choir through the formation of a Foundation Partnership.

“”In just a few months of collaborative planning, we have been able to put together some new strategies and initiatives that will give the Choir financial stability and exposure to the wider community well into the future,” he said.

PAYCE announced at the relaunch it would double its initial commitment to $60,000 over the next three years along with ongoing corporate support.

PAYCE General Manager Dominic Sullivan said the performances of the Choir were inspirational and uplifting and deserved the support of the general public and the corporate world.

“One way of showing support is to become a ‘Friend of the Sydney Street Choir’ for as little as $48 annually, which is less than what many spend on one cup of coffee each month over a year,” he said.

“We would also like to invite the corporate sector to join in supporting this amazing group of people and to help the Choir spread the joy of song.

Mr Paul said the Choir was indebted to Brian Boyd and Dominic Sullivan from PAYCE for their support and commitment to making a difference to the lives of people less fortunate than most in the community.

“Our main aim is to make people feel confident about themselves to take the next step to achieving their goals and finding greater independence,” he said.

For more information or to make a tax deductible donation visit the Choir’s website, www.sydneystreetchoir.org.au