11th Dec 2014
Spreading festive cheer across the City, London’s Air Ambulance has hosted an exclusive, star studded Christmas Carol Concert at St Stephen Walbrook Church (10th December).
The charity that delivers an advanced trauma team to critically injured people in London, filled Sir Christopher Wren’s enchanting church with the sound of Christmas to raise funds for its life-saving service. Three seasoned choirs led the musical celebration while a host of well-known faces brought to life the story of Jesus’ birth.
BBC London presenter Victoria Hollins (above), actress Donna Air (left) and Lady Moss, wife of the legendary British racing driver, each delivered a biblical message that revealed the true meaning of Christmas.
Graham Hodgkin, Chief Executive Officer of London’s Air Ambulance, said: “We promised our guests a magical occasion that would invoke the spirit of Christmas. With the backing of our three choirs and an array of glittering speakers we were able to deliver on that promise. My thanks to them and to everyone that came and sang with great enthusiasm, it made for a very rousing, yet spiritual celebration”.
One of the most beautiful settings in London, the history surrounding St Stephen Walbrook Church dates back thousands of years. The Anglican parish church burnt to the ground during the Great Fire of London and was subsequently rebuilt by Sir Christopher Wren in 1672 who lived and worshiped in the parish.
The Bishop of London, The Rt Revd & Rt Hon Richard Chartres, delivered a festive sermon at the Carol Concert.
The Bishop of London said: “London’s Air Ambulance has saved many lives over the past 25 years. It is astonishing that a charity delivers this vital service to Londoners. There is real cause for gratitude and celebration.”
SPEAKING ABOUT THEIR INVOLVEMENT ON THE NIGHT:
BBC London presenter Victoria Hollins said: “Christmas is the time traditionally associated with giving and counting your blessings. It’s a privilege to give something back to the charity whose work I admire hugely. Its advanced trauma team works 24/7, 365 days of the year to help people like you and I in our hour of absolute need”.
Actress, presenter and stylist Donna Air said: “I only discovered recently that this amazing service is a charity. The work it does is more than remarkable, it’s life-saving. You never know if one day you might need its help”.
Sir Stirling Moss said: “I’ve borrowed the services London’s Air Ambulance provides following an accident at home. For that reason I can wholeheartedly say the team is second to none. Thanks to the speed and quality of the care it provides I am here today, in one piece. At Christmas and other happy occasions, I always take a moment to reflect on how different and hard things might have been for my family without London’s Air Ambulance swift intervention. I’m immensely grateful and proud to support the charity — the whole family is”.
A time to reflect
Providing time for personal reflection and prayer, the Hogan Lovells Choir and the City of London School for Girls Choir each delivered solo performances that spread feelings of comfort and joy. The Barts and The London’s Music Society also lent its support on the night to ensure the sound of hope reverberated around the room.
The festivities concluded with the exchange of yuletide wishes over mince pies and mulled wine served by Coco Di Mama and the chance for one lucky raffle winner to take home a fully decorated spruce — just in time to hang their stocking on it.