Over £6000 donated to charities

Organisers of York’s Annual Community Carol Concert were able to hand-over cheques to local charities from the concert held last December at York Barbican.

The Rt Hon Lord Mayor of York, Cllr David Carr and his Lady Mayoress, Mrs Lynda Carr, met representatives from Martin House Children’s Hospice and York Hospital Radio at the Mansion House for the presentations.

£2500 was donated to the Lord Mayor and Sheriff of York’s Christmas Cheer Fund – which helps fund seasonal civic luncheons for up to 400 elderly residents over the festive period.

A further £2500 was presented to Martin House Children’s Hospice, The Press nominated charity. Regional Fundraiser, Michelle Ford, said, “This donation will make a real difference to the lives of the families we support in the area and we are so very grateful”.

Phil Bewers from York Hospital Radio received a cheque for £1000. “We so value the annual donations from the Carol Concert – which we have recorded and broadcast for well over 50 years now. Christmas would not be the same without it”.

Concert organising secretary, Graham Bradbury, also added that a further amount of £300 had been shared between York Against Cancer, Yorkshire Air Ambulance and the Alzheimers Society.

The Lord Mayor added, “The Civic Party are always delighted to attend the Community Carol Concert each year which has been a permanent fixture in the civic calendar since 1958 – that the event has raised so much money for local charities in that time, benefitting so many people, is a tribute to those who have both performed in and organise the event.

This year will celebrate the 65^th Anniversary of the Carol Concert and will take place at York Barbican on Sunday 17 December 2023 at 2.00 pm. Those participating will be: Shepherd Group Youth Band, York Stage School, Badger Hill Primary School, Track 29 Ladies Choir, Steve Cassidy, Musical Director, Mike Pratt and will be co-hosted by Rev Andrew Foster and Adam Tomlinson.

Tickets will go on sale from York Barbican in August.