• Ronan sings for Salvos

Singer-songwriter Ronan Keating and his band performed for The Salvation Army to promote the upcoming Red Shield Appeal.

BY LAUREN MARTIN

Irish singer/songwriter Ronan Keating performed an intimate concert for a small group of Salvation Army workers, volunteers and community members in Sydney recently as part of his support for the Army’s upcoming Red Shield Appeal.

The concert, which was filmed, included a question-answer session in which Ronan spoke about his judging spot on Australia’s The Voice, the importance of kindness, and why he’s passionate about the work of The Salvation Army.

“Many people in this room have suffered and struggled, and I hope people have been there for them. I know The Salvation Army is that for so many people. Which is why it’s such a recognisable brand ... why it’s a brand people lean on and need,” he said.

NSW/ACT Divisional Commander Major Robyn Black thanks Ronan Keating for his performance for the Salvos.

He spoke about the recent death of his brother, which impacted him greatly, saying that through it, he discovered the importance of being weak. “You shouldn’t be strong in those moments; you need to be weak. Because if you don’t learn from what you’re going through and if you don’t deal with your grief, you’re never going to be able to deal with the weight and the sadness.”

He said the Salvos assist people in many ways and that the organisation is needed “more now than ever.”

The Salvation Army filmed the concert and will air clips from it and Ronan’s interview on its national social media pages. The event also generated positive news coverage for the Salvos.

Click through the slideshow below for more photos of the concert.