Stars support Sarcoma UK at Christmas

The event, hosted last night (7 December) by TV personality Johnny Ball, was held at St Giles- in- the-Fields (the Poets’ Church) for the very first time and raised over three thousand pounds for the charity’s vital work.

TV and film actor Robert Powell led the readings, followed by actress Louisa Lytton, a familiar face from BBC1’s EastEnders. Mark Llewelyn Evans, opera singer and author, and actress Barbara Smith kept the festivities going in a programme combining both traditional and contemporary readings.

The varied musical menu ranged from an operatic performance by the renowned Victoria Joyce, and gospel renditions from popular London choir Enchorus. The rousing Reading Spring Gardens Brass Band and Adam St. Singers, an established presence in London’s contemporary choir scene, added to the festive scores. Bambang Atmaja, singer and Medical Oncology Specialist Registrar, concluded the musical delights of the evening.

Marion Fellows MP, who lost her husband George to sarcoma at the age of 73, reminded attendees of the true impact of a sarcoma diagnosis during an interview with Johnny Ball. Marion has been at the forefront of raising awareness of the disease.

Sarcomas are uncommon cancers that can affect any part of the body. There are many different types of sarcoma; however all subtypes of sarcoma can be grouped into soft tissue sarcomas and bone sarcomas.

Sarcoma is very rare, making up less than 2% of all cancers diagnosed in the UK each year.

“We were delighted to be supported by so many people in the sarcoma community as well as a host of incredible talent from entertainment and music,” says Richard Davidson, Chief Executive of Sarcoma UK.

“This night gives us a special chance to remember those no longer with us, as well as an opportunity to celebrate and reflect on what we have achieved together this year.

“We are very grateful to Marion and all the artists who have freely given their time to make this evening such a wonderful start to the Christmas season. ”

The charity would like to thank the many generous donors of raffle prizes, Rev. Tom Sanders and the team at St Giles-in-the-Fields, and pianist Tom Lee, without whom the evening would not have been possible.