Maggie’s set to host free virtual carol concert

Cancer charity Maggie’s Oldham s hosting a free virtual carol concert at 6pm on Sunday 13th December in support of people with cancer. The concert has a fantastic line-up of celebrity speakers, exclusive performances, music and laughter. After a testing year, it promises to be a perfect festive evening for the whole family. It will also provide an opportunity to donate to Maggie’s Oldham. People with cancer need Maggie’s support now more than ever and money raised on the night will help more people living with cancer this Christmas.

Hosted by journalist, newsreader and TV presenter Fiona Bruce, the carol concert will be brought to you online from the kitchens in Maggie’s centres across London, to yours. There will be festive readings from Keeley Hawes, James Norton, Sue Perkins, Stanley Tucci and Dominic West as well as carols to sing along to, with musical performances from Lulu, internationally renowned baritone Roderick Williams OBE, Ellie Laugharne and The London Oriana Choir.

A brand-new choral commission from composer Eric Whitacre, written especially for Maggie’s, will be premiered at the concert, Eric will also be holding a live Q&A online at 5.15pm, just before the concert begins.

The virtual carol concert will be online starting at 6pm on Sunday 13th December - a perfect time for the whole family to watch from the comfort of your sofa.

The concert is totally free and you can register online now to receive a link emailed directly to you ahead of the concert.

More details and the link will be shared on Maggie's Facebook page in December.

All proceeds from our carol concert will support people with cancer. Coronavirus has had a huge impact on people with cancer. Screenings have been missed, treatments have been altered and surgeries postponed. For some there will be unbearable mental anguish as they learn that their cancer is no longer treatable or survivable. With your help, we can continue to provide emotional and practical support to everyone who needs it.

● £15 can pay for someone to get one-to-one help with money worries from home.

● £50 can pay for a family to attend one of our kids’ days, which helps children to understand and come to terms with mum or dad having cancer.

● £100 can pay for three people to work through difficult feelings with a psychologist on the phone.

You can donate to Maggie’s Oldham this Christmas at any time on Maggie's website. People with cancer in Oldham and the surrounding areas need you now more than ever.

A little more about Maggie’s

Every Maggie’s centre follows a blueprint about cancer care as originally laid out by Maggie Keswick Jencks. Maggie lived with advanced cancer for two years and was determined that she should not “lose the joy of living in the fear of dying”.

In order to live more positively with cancer, Maggie believed people needed information, stress-reducing strategies, psychological support and the opportunity to meet other people in similar circumstances in a relaxed and beautiful setting. All Maggie’s centres are individually designed by leading architects to feel like a home and all have a big kitchen table at their heart.

Dame Laura Lee, Maggie’s Chief Executive said: “I think we can all agree that this Christmas we need something to look forward to and a chance to come together as a family. It's been an incredibly tough year for people with cancer, as well as their family, and we know the need for psychological support has never been greater. ‘Maggie’s Carols in the Kitchen’ will provide the perfect opportunity to celebrate Christmas with family, from our kitchens to yours”.

Trish Morgan, Centre Head at Maggie’s Oldham, said: “Our Christmas carol concert this year might not give us the chance to connect in the way we’d hope but the virtual concert will

give us and all of the people we support a much-needed chance to gather with our immediate family and enjoy a moment of festive cheer. As well as a fantastic line-up there will be opportunities to donate to help people with cancer on the night. We rely almost entirely on voluntary donations to allow us to keep on developing our unique programme of free support for all those living with cancer in the area.”

Maggie’s couldn't host Carols in the Kitchen without the support of our sponsors; Sir Robert McAlpine, Clipfine, Ruddy, William Hare Group and Petworth Places and Petworth Festivals.

Stephanie McAlpine, Maggie’s Carol Concert Committee Chair adds: "We are so very grateful to our loyal sponsors, Clipfine, Hare, Sir Robert McAlpine, Ruddy’s for their ongoing support. With their generous backing, we have been able to adapt to the COVID restrictions in producing a programme to be streamed, so our celebrity filled carol concert can be shared with everyone."

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