Christmas Concert Raises Funds to Save Children from Starvation

Lyse Doucet, Bibi Heal, Stephen Barlow, the Lord Cope of Berkeley PC, and our wonderful supporters and friends have all helped us raise an incredible £22,134.60 – to save children from starving this Christmas. 

The Concert in St Peter’s Eaton Square was packed to the rafters once again.  Volunteers decorated the church beautifully so it was filled with candles, baubles, garlands and of course donkeys and our reindeer!  The atmosphere was truly magical with the angelic voices of Queen’s Gate Choir, and our wonderful Soloist Bibi Heal, accompanied by Stephen Barlow.

“This year we had Lyse  Doucet, BBC’s Chief International Correspondent, fly in especially to speak at our Concert says Patricia, “I was truly moved by Lyse’s efforts to be with us on the night. She just happened to be reporting from Sudan earlier in the week, and had spoken about the people she met – including children the same age as our Choir. Lyse put into words the sheer horrors families in Darfur have faced fleeing the violence. We were so grateful to have the support of Lord Cope of Berkeley, who always gives up his time to provide a Reading at our Concert. Everyone sang their hearts out, Roy Bilham and Thames Fanfare Brass were stunning as always and Lesley Magee had everyone captivated by her beautiful harp playing.”

We are so grateful to all the amazing people who support the concert, from the team at St Peter’s Eaton Square, to the volunteers led by the inexhaustible Ann and Richard Lienard, from our advertisers and friends, to our Musical Director, Ian Webb-Taylor.

Patricia ended her moving Christmas Message this year:

If you lived in Darfur what would you prioritise as urgent for you and your family?  Is it a goat, a sack of seed, or maybe a mosquito net, the handpump to be repaired, medicines, veterinary drugs?  What would you need?  You can order on our website online, and send us details for personalised Christmas Certificates to your friends and family.  Please spread the word to anyone you know and encourage them to help.  We want this to be the best Kids for Kids’ Christmas ever!  Miracles do happen – you are helping us to transform the lives of children and families in Darfur.

Make a difference this Christmas! Donate Goats, Mosquito Nets or Seeds to Darfur and Gift a Certificate to a loved one – just click here to order.

And don’t forget – all donations made between 1st and 31st December 2024 will be DOUBLED!! Thanks to Dame Joanna Lumley DBE FRGS and special friends who together have pledged £34,500, we could raise an astonishing £69,000! Imagine the emergency aid we will be able to provide!

Download and share a copy of our Founder’s Christmas Message 2024

With grateful thanks to Amy Wallace, Principal Queen’s Gate School and to our wonderful advertisers.

All photos were taken by Davina Patel.