‘Follow the Stars’ Christmas Carol Concert with Macmillan Cancer Support
At 8 pm on Friday 11th December, a host of A-list celebrities and renowned musicians are joining forces for a wonderful night in as part of the Follow the Stars Christmas Carol Concert. Completely free to stream online and enjoy from the comfort of your own sofa, viewers are invited to donate any amount they can, with all profits being used by Macmillan Cancer Support to provide vital support to those who need it.
Household names including Joanna Lumley, Stephen Fry, Jeremy Irons, Sinaed Cusack, Greg Wise, Alexander Armstrong and Benjamin Zephaniah are all taking part to perform poetry and seasonal readings to help lift the spirits from their home to yours. If that wasn’t amazing enough, they will also be joined by fantastic musical performances including world-leading baritones Roderick Williams and Christopher Purves, as well as Paddy Armstrong and the Oxford Bach Soloists directed by Tom Hammond-Davies.
For the first time in its 24-year history, the concert will be hosted online from a list of locations as long as Santa’s beard, including Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford. If you already have plans for December 11th and can’t watch the premiere or want to re-live the magic, not to worry. This online concert is available to watch until December 31st.
Making a difference
Every donation, no matter how big or small will be helping Macmillan to support those who need our help and here are just a few examples of some of the amazing things your support can do:
£10 could help run our vital Macmillan Support Line for cancer patients where welfare advisers are key in helping people affected by cancer claim benefits they’re entitled to, worth £396.
£31 could pay for a Macmillan nurse for one hour, helping people living with cancer and their families receive essential medical, practical and emotional support.
£60 could pay for a Macmillan Grant that buys a good quality liquidiser for someone who can't eat solid food as a result of their cancer or treatment.
£100 could pay for a person affected by cancer to attend a Health and Wellbeing event, providing them with skills to improve the management of these areas in their lives.
£150 could pay for a Macmillan Grant that buys new clothes for someone experiencing a change in weight or body shape while undergoing cancer treatment, helping them feel better about the way they look.
As well as raising vital funds for Macmillan, this year’s concert will also allow households to enjoy some festive cheer and get into the Christmas spirit during this time of social distancing.
Behind the scenes
This wonderful event is organised by a small team of volunteers with Oxford Trinity College’s, Dame Hilary Boulding as its President. Over the last 24 years it has become a much-loved event and looked-forward-to start to the festive season. To date, A Celebration of Christmas has raised a life-changing £250,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support and this year it’s moving online to recreate the magic and warmth of Christmas celebration for all to enjoy.
To find out more and for the link to the live stream, visit here or live stream directly from the justgiving page.