People across London and beyond are invited to kick-start their Christmas festivities and soak up the magic of the season at WaterAid’s star-studded carol service at St Mary Abbots Church, High Street Kensington, on Thursday 3 December from 6pm to help bring the gift of clean water to families globally.
Attendees will enjoy singing seasonal favourites alongside the stunning Sing Out Streatham choir and celebrities including actor and writer Cush Jumbo OBE, TV chef and presenter Andi Oliver, and actors Ariyon Bakare and David Gyasi, all of whom will also be giving readings.
All proceeds will go to support WaterAid’s Motherhood starts with water winter appeal, which aims to raise £1.6 million towards transforming lives with access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene.
Tickets for the event start at £30, while premium ticket holders can sit closer to the choir with tickets priced at £40. All tickets include mulled wine and mince pies.
Guests will enjoy belting out Christmas carol classics including ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’ and ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’ while some of the nation’s top talent will read festive favourites like Maya Angelou’s ‘Amazing Peace’ and ‘Christmas Bells’ by Henry Wadsworth.
The service will be followed by a reception with winter warming mulled wine and mince pies.
Chef and broadcaster, Andi Oliver, who visited WaterAid’s work in Malawi earlier this year will be reading Talking Turkeys by Benjamin Zephaniah.
Andi Oliver said:
“Christmas is one of my absolute favourite times of the year because it brings families and communities together to celebrate and support each other. Earlier this year, when I visited WaterAid’s work in Malawi, I saw how clean water has a similarly powerful impact, bringing people together, making families healthier and bringing opportunities for work and education.
“So come join me at WaterAid’s Christmas carol service to celebrate the festive season and help turn the taps on, turn hope on, turn possibility on. When people have water, they have the chance to build the future they want.”
BAFTA awarding winning actor, Ariyon Bakare, best known for his roles in Mr Loverman, His Dark Materials and Dr Who, visited WaterAid’s work in his home country of Nigeria.
Ariyon said:
“This Christmas, it’s worth remembering the basics we take for granted. For some, clean water is a tap away; for others, it’s miles away. Millions of people around the world live every day without clean water and it stops them reaching their full potential. I have seen this first hand when I visited WaterAid’s work in my home country, Nigeria. And I’ve seen the difference clean water brings. I am thrilled to be reading at WaterAid’s Christmas Carol service. I can’t wait to soak up the festive atmosphere, while raising funds towards this vital work.”
Cush Jumbo OBE is an award-winning actor of stage and screen, best known for her roles in The Good Wife and Criminal Record, and will be reading Christmas Bells by Henry Wadsworth.
Cush said:
“I am thrilled to be reading at WaterAid’s carol service. It is the season for togetherness and connection and what better way to celebrate it than an evening of singing and beautiful readings that evoke the spirit of Christmas. Everyone, no matter where they live, should have clean water on tap. Come join me and help raise essential money for WaterAid’s amazing work at the same time!”
Actor David Gyasi, bests known for his roles in Interstellar, BBC series White Heat, Carnival Row and more recently Netflix’s The Diplomat, is of Ghanaian heritage and commended the work that WaterAid does in the country.
David said:
“Water. Are we really discussing water! And yet nearly one in ten people don’t have clean water close to home. It baffles me that we have not sorted this yet. Any organisation attempting to help people have access to the fundamentals has my support. That’s why I’m joining WaterAid at their carol service for a joyous night raising funds to bring clean water to more people.”
To find out more and buy tickets visit: WaterAid’s Christmas Carols | WaterAid
