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Macmillan Cancer Support have announced their ‘Celebration of Christmas’ concert performed by an all-star cast will be reimagined online this year. Macmillan Cancer Support is a British charity that provides specialist health care, information and financial support to people affected by cancer. They look at the social, emotional and practical impact cancer can have, and campaign for better cancer care, with the goal of reaching and improving the lives of everyone who has cancer in the UK.
Follow the Stars is a Christmas Carol concert reimagined for 2020 by a team of volunteers in Oxford, England. Due to the ongoing coronavirus restrictions in the UK, the concert is going to be held online, with hopes of reaching a large audience. The audience can expect an array of festive music, poetry and readings that will be performed by the best of the best, with the concert premiering on 11th December, and available to stream until 31st December.
The A-list line up includes performances from actors Joanna Lumley, Stephen Fry, Jeremy Irons, and Greg Wise, as well as poet Benjamin Zephaniah, warmly presented by Alexander Armstrong. There will be music from Oxford’s Christ Church Cathedral, the Oxford Bach Soloists with organist Steven Grahl and directed by Tom Hammond-Davies.
Macmillan knows how to entice us in, stating: “Watch out for the nation’s favourite, In the Bleak Midwinter by chorister Paddy Armstrong, Roderick Williams’ spell-binding recital of The Three Kings and many other funny, poignant and heart-moving performances from much-loved actors, poets and musicians.
The premiere performance will be live at 8pm (UK time) on 11th December, and can be enjoyed as a shared virtual experience. The performance will be streamed free to all online, and donations are encouraged via the Just Giving page.
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Macmillan Cancer Support explains the call for fundraising through the concert due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic:
“We know that many cancer patients have had their treatment delayed, cancelled or changed as a result of Covid-19. Most of us are unaware that lockdown and the absence of fundraising events this year will result in Macmillan Cancer Support losing an estimated £100 million in revenue. Your support is needed more than ever to provide urgent funding for Macmillan so they can address the uncertainty of delayed cancer services and prevent a serious spike in cancer deaths.
Contribute to our fundraising today and help Macmillan Cancer Support deliver the vital services people living with cancer so urgently need. 100% of your contribution will, thanks to the generosity of the celebrities and the expertise of the volunteer team who have created this event, immediately go to Macmillan Cancer Support and help address the serious spoke in cancer deaths predicted as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Christmas is the time of giving, so whether or not you can watch with us from 11th December, we hope you will join us in raising a glass to celebrate the work of Macmillan Cancer Support and help fund their vital services by supporting our fundraising today. Why not give what you would have spent on a ticked? £29 would cover the cost of a Macmillan nurse for one hour.”
Links:
Bookmark this page for where to stream the event
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Michelle is a musician and composer from the UK. She has performed across the UK and Europe and is passionate about arts education and opportunities for women and girls.
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