A talented young singer is heading to New York for a 'once-in-a-lifetime' opportunity.
Fraser Campbell-McDonald is just 14 but has already appeared in a number of of professional stage productions.
Yorkshire Live reports that the youngster has been performing since he was aged just three but, more recently, his powerful and mature singing voice has impressed his teachers.
Fraser, from Keighley, left home in 2021 to go to The Hammond, a prestigious performing arts boarding school in Chester, which meant some financial sacrifices for his parents, Laura and Gary.
He had dealt with bullying at his previous school but eventually said: "Mum, get me out of here."
And now he's been selected to attend a summer camp at French Woods Festival of Performing Arts in New York.
Proud mum Laura, who has just retired as a civil servant, has set up a GoFundMe page as the cost of the summer camp is around £2,000. It has helped raise around £1,000.
She said Fraser had previously been bullied at school for 'being different' but now he was with like-minded children who loved performing arts.
"He is just living the dream," she said. "He's had a very tough school life so far, being bullied for being different, not into his sport, more into his singing and dance.
"He just didn't fit in and it's been so upsetting to watch - children can be so cruel.
"As a family we have had to be selfless and let our only child leave home, and move 80 miles away to Chester, to be with like-minded children.
"He is so happy now and a different person.
"He was born with an amazing gift to sing - his current teachers say he is exceptional and is West End, Broadway material if he wants it; never have they heard a voice so mature come out of a child so young."
Fraser is due to fly to New York in June and has been earning his own cash to help pay for the trip.
"French Woods (in New York) has provided world-class arts training to young people for over 50 years and is one of the leading residential training programs in the US," added Laura.
She described the USA trip as a "once in a lifetime opportunity".
Fraser's performing arts school suggested setting up a Go Fund Me page which his mum has done - the page can be found here.
Laura says: "His teacher, Miss Maddocks, has said it (the New York trip) will open up so many doors for him in the future.
"It is a life-changing experience; he will network with directors from Broadway and have the chance to make a name for himself and develop so many life skills that will help him for the future and his career in the performing arts industry."
She added: "He's already a professional, has an agent and we've lost count how many auditions he's had to do - at least 60.
"Life without music just doesn't exist for him. Music is life."
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