Home > News > Big names queue up to support charity carol service

Published: 20 Nov 2008

A fundraising carol service, organised by the Friends of the Neonatal Unit at St George’s Hospital, will feature special readings and performances from a host of famous faces and local groups at St Matthew’s Church, West Wimbledon on Tuesday 2 December.

Television’s Ortis Deley and Michael Absalom, presenters of the BBC’s popular children’s television show, Best of Friends, will be giving readings at the free service, and Roman Stefanski, actor and director at Wimbledon’s Polka Theatre for Children will give a special performance. In addition, Polka Theatre’s Musical Director, Julian Butler, and Ian Parkin from Four Poofs and a Piano (House Band for the BBC’s Friday Night with Jonathan Ross) will perform a popular version of Little Drummer Boy.

Father Stuart Lee, Vicar of St Matthew’s, has provided the church and church hall free of charge for the event as several children treated by the Neonatal Unit (NNU) at St George’s now regularly form part of his congregation.

Sarah Collins, Charity Manager for the Friends of the NNU at St George’s, said:

“It’s fantastic to get such great support for this event – it means a huge deal to us. Hopefully these big names will draw people in and make the service really unique. There will also be some very special readings by staff from St George’s and performances from St Matthew’s Church of England School choir.

“Everyone is welcome – there will be snacks and mulled wine provided and we hope to raise some money for the NNU with a collection, so please come along and support the service.”

The free service begins at 7pm, at St Matthew’s Church, Durham Road, Raynes Park SW20. For more information contact Sarah Collins on 07958 570 304 or email: sarah.f.collins@btinternet.com.

Notes to editors

  1. The Friends of the Neonatal Unit at St George’s is an independent charity, registered number 1072500, formed in 1998 with the aim of directly supporting patients, their families and staff of the Neonatal Unit (NNU).
  2. St George’s NNU cares for over 500 new-born babies each year (up to 30 at any one time) in their intensive, high dependency and special care nurseries, based in Tooting, South West London.
  3. For more information, please contact the Communications Unit on 020 8725 5151 or email communications@stgeorges.nhs.uk. Outside working hours, please page us by calling 0844 822 2888, leaving a short message and contact details for pager SG548..
    * High resolution image available on request.