Last updated 13:06, Tuesday, 23 December 2008

A FURNESS pupil is a hero after stepping in to save his school’s Christmas play.

• Watch a video clip....

MUSICAL PRODIGY: St Paul’s school pupil Adam Qureshi, who stepped in to play the piano at their school play SHEENAH ALCOCK REF: 0463865

Teachers and staff at St Paul’s CE Junior School in Barrow feared their concert, C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S Spells Christmas, may have to be cancelled when music coordinator Russ Thompson fell ill.

But 11-year-old Adam Qureshi came to the rescue.

When Adam heard that Mr Thompson was ill, he told teacher Angela Silcocks that he was willing to play the piano.

The Year Six pupil, who has only been playing the piano for just over a year, volunteered for the role, which included playing an overture at the beginning of the shows and music to introduce the singers and keep them in time. He picked up a lot of the music by ear.

Adam and his schoolmates pulled together to perform.

Last Monday (15) they performed for children of Victoria Infant and Nursery School, and for parents on Tuesday and Wednesday evening.

Delighted headteacher Margaret McCulloch is full of praise for Adam and all the pupils who worked together to make the show a success after the setback.

Mrs McCulloch said: “Adam came to the rescue. If Adam had not stepped in we might have had to cancel it.

“He did it in such a nice way, he is very unassuming young man.

“He was so cool and calm. He was that good that the parents did not realise.

“The children and staff really appreciate what he did. All the children really rose to the challenge.”

The head said the school’s whole ethos is one that promotes children taking responsibility, getting involved and giving their best.

Adam said he enjoyed the challenge.

He said: “I was up for it, so I said ‘I can do it’. I enjoyed it.

“There was a lot of support for me at school from my friends and teachers and from my family.”