Story of Christmas raises £1m

The 47th edition of the Story of Christmas, a star-studded carol service, plus glitzy reception and charity auction, took place last week.

The event raised £1m for charities including youth theatre Chickenshed, youth homeless charity Depaul and the Helen Bamber Foundation, among others. It is the first time that fundraising has broken through the £1m barrier.

Marc Corbett-Weaver, who produces the event, said: “We are moved, humbled and overjoyed by this amazing result, which will do huge good for our wonderful charities – thank you so very much to all our supporters.”

The service, which began with a fanfare of trumpets from the Scots Guards and included vocals from the choir of Westminster Cathedral, was attended by a dazzling array of celebrated readers.

Readers this year included Rowan Atkinson, Simon Callow, Victoria Coren Mitchell, Benedict Cumberbatch, Rupert Everett, Aled Jones, Ian Hislop, Sienna Miller, James Norton, David Mitchell, Hussina Raja, Sophie Raworth, Julia Sawalha, Adrian Scarborough, Dan Snow and Kate Winslet. 

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