Singer Tom Jones busks for charity

LONDON, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Famed Welsh crooner Tom Jones recently spent some time busking in London as part of a charity competition.

The Times of London said the 68-year-old performer set up his microphone on the South Bank of the Thames River near the Royal Festival Hall and sang songs like "Green, Green Grass of Home," "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On," "Great Balls of Fire" and, of course, "It's Not Unusual" before a crowd of about 400 people.

The mini-concert was organized by BBC Two's "The Culture Show" and was part of a competition between musicians to determine who could raise the most cash for charity by busking -- performing on the street, The Times said.

Which charity the money would benefit from the competition was not specified.

Jones set out to raise more money than a Welsh male choir and collected his donations in champagne buckets. He accomplished his goal taking in about $700.

The newspaper said one middle-aged woman declared she would have tossed her underwear at the singer as a sign of her affection, "If only it were a bit warmer."