Celebrate Charity marks 100 years with carol concert
ONE of Bristol’s longest running charities is set to mark its 100th anniversary with a celebratory fundraising carol concert.
The Lord Mayor of Bristol’s Children Appeal was founded in 1921, when it was known as the Lord Mayor’s Fund. It was set up to raise money to give the city’s poorest children a Christmas dinner and a pair of boots.
Now, 100 years on, the organisation raises £66,000 each year to give 1,650 children and young people a better Christmas.
Each child receives a £20 voucher for gifts or clothing and a £20 voucher for food.
These children are the city’s most disadvantaged and the vouchers make a real difference to their Christmas.
Following a hugely successful centenary gala dinner, which raised over £17,000, the charity will be hosting a carol concert at St George’s Bristol next Wednesday, which will further help to raise money for children in Bristol.
The event will be hosted by Briony May Williams, a Bristolian who reached the semi-finals of The Great British Bake Off in 2018, as well as the Lord Mayor, Councillor Steve Smith, and will feature traditional and contemporary carols.
The evening will include music from Bold Brass, the Posset Singers and Blackbird’s children’s choir, led by Doug Watts, and all funds raised will go directly to the Lord Mayor’s Christmas Appeal.
Speaking about the event, chairman Bruce Simmonds said: “We’re incredibly proud to be celebrating the 100th year of The Lord Mayor of Bristol’s Children Appeal and are so grateful to the people of Bristol who have continued to support such a great cause for so many years.
“It’s going to be fantastic to celebrate and raise more muchneeded funds with a festive evening of wonderful music in one of Bristol’s most iconic concert halls.”
The concert will begin at 7pm.
Tickets are priced at £12 and can be bought directly from the St George’s Bristol website at www.stgeorgesbristol.co.uk.