Charity to host virtual carol concert to help people with cancer

An Oldham charity is hosting a virtual carol concert featuring a host of special guests in order to help people living with cancer this Christmas. 

Maggie's Oldham is holding the 'Carols in the Kitchen' concert on Sunday 13 December from 6pm. 

There's a fantastic line-up of celebrity speakers, exclusive performances, music and laughter planned. 

The festive evening will provide an opportunity for people to donate to Maggie’s Oldham.

Stars lined up for concert  

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 (pictured), 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.

How to watch the concert

People can register now to watch the virtual carol concert and receive a link emailed directly to them ahead of the festive evening. 

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

People are also being encouraged to share their photos during the festive evening on social media using the hashtag #carolsinthekitchen

Where your concert donations will go

All proceeds from the 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.

Maggie's Oldham say with the help of the community, the charity 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.

Maggie's Oldham say people can donate to the charity this Christmas at any time on their website, as they reiterate the message that people with cancer in Oldham and the surrounding areas need support 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."