Sick Children’s Trust’s Chief Exec Goes Solo To Raise Cash For Families This Christmas

The Chief Executive of national charity The Sick Children’s Trust will be taking centre-stage at its Christmas Carol Service this December to raise money by singing a solo in front of 650 guests.

The Sick Children’s Trust’s Chief Executive Jane Featherstone is celebrating her ten year anniversary at the charity, and will mark it at the Christmas Carol Service on Wednesday 14 December, by taking on a solo verse during the event.

Jane is asking friends, family and supporters to pledge money to ensure families with seriously ill children can stay close to their loved ones this Christmas. The Sick Children’s Trust provides free ‘Home from Home’ accommodation across the country, supporting families with sick children in hospital. Jane says:

“We’re currently busy preparing for our annual Christmas Carol Service in London and this year’s event will be particularly special to me. To mark my ten year anniversary at The Sick Children’s Trust, I’m taking on a personal challenge…I am being sponsored to sing a solo verse. This is a huge task for me and will see me stepping outside of my comfort zone, like many of our super fundraisers do every day, to help raise money for families with seriously ill children.

“Last year, our Christmas Carol Service raised over £12,000 which made a significant difference to families staying in our ten ‘Homes from Home’ across the country. Although the accommodation is free for families, it costs the charity £30 to support a family in one of our ‘Homes from Home’ for one night.

“I’m incredibly nervous but am hoping people will dig deep to see me perform with our soprano Margaret Keys. Please do come along to the service to watch me take on the challenge, and to help keep families together this Christmas. Having worked at The Sick Children’s Trust for ten years, I have met the most amazing children and families going through the toughest of times, so I wanted to take on a personal challenge to raise money, so we can help more families stay together when they have a seriously ill child in hospital.”

The Sick Children’s Trust’s Christmas Carol Service will be held on Wednesday 14 December, 6:30pm – 8pm at St Marylebone Parish Church, London. Tickets are £15 (adult) and £7.50 (child). The night will see celebrity guest speakers, Dame Barbara Windsor, Charles Dance, Anne Reid, Katy Brand, Alison Steadman, Eric Knowles and Alice Beer give readings, and performances from Irish Soprano Margaret Keys and the choir of Boutcher Primary school.

Hannah Upson, Special Events Manager at The Sick Children’s Trust says:

“This is our sixth annual Christmas Carol Service and we have a wonderful festive evening for all. The night will see readings from our celebrity guests, lovely musical performances, and a wine and mince pie reception.

“For many, Christmas is about spending time with family. Unfortunately, for the families we support, this Christmas will be a difficult one as they care for their seriously ill child in hospital. But The Sick Children’s Trust will be there, ensuring they can be there for their sick child when it matters most.”

For further information on how to get your tickets for The Sick Children’s Trust’s Christmas Carol Service, please visit: http://www.sickchildrenstrust.org/Get_involved/Special_Events/ChristmasCarolService2016/index.html

To sponsor The Sick Children’s Trust’s Chief Executive Jane, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Jane-Featherstone1