Nordoff Robbins Christmas carol concert raises over £200,000

A christmas carol service held last week by music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins has raised over £200,000. The service, held at St Luke’s Church in London was also streamed online. The funds raised will enable the charity’s music therapists to continue improving the lives of people in the UK affected by life-limiting illnesses.

The Stars Come Out to Sing at Christmas sarol service is held annually and this year Nordoff Robbins has created its first British Sign Language stream (available from 21 December) with a full transcript.

The streamed service, hosted by guitarist Nile Rodgers, featured Sir Rod Stewart, Imelda May and Jess Gillam as well as Shakira, Beverley Knight, Lindsey Buckingham and Enrique Iglesias.

Sir Rod said: ‘Everyone can thrive through the power of music and that’s why Nordoff Robbins’ work is so important to me. Every music therapy session at Nordoff Robbins is unique because every person is unique.’

Nordoff Robbins is the UK’s largest music therapy charity, supplying trained music therapists to children and adults affected by illnesses such as dementia, mental health issues, physical disabilities and learning disabilities. The charity runs a range of sessions for children and adults in centres across the UK as well as partnering with over 280 organisations including schools, care homes, hospices, hospitals, mental health services, and brain injury units.

More than 800 people attended this year’s event. Opened by Sandra Schembri, CEO of Nordoff Robbins, students from Latymer Prep School Choir were joined by the congregation in performing hymns including Once in Royal David’s City, Silent Night and O’ Little Town of Bethlehem.

CEO Schembri said: ‘According to our recent UK survey 90% of those questioned agree that music has the power to make a positive impact on people’s lives and is a great way to bring people together.

The stream will be available on Nordoff Robbins’ YouTube channel until 4 January.