Christmas concert sets tills jingling for York Against Cancer
PICTURE shows Isobel and Mollie with York Against Cancer's Heather Atkinson
It was billed as an evening to get you in the Christmas mood, and it didn’t disappoint!
The fantastic sound of the Shepherd Group Brass Band playing themed music in The Hive at Manor CE Academy’s purpose-built theatre, a live online ‘Jingle Bells challenge’ and Santa hats all round couldn’t fail to get you in the festive spirit!
Well supported with more than 150 tickets sold, the event, instigated by band member Mike Pratt and City of York Council Leader Ian Gillies and organised by Ian’s two granddaughters Mollie (14) & Isobel (11), raised an incredible £3,000 for York Against Cancer.
A total of £1,500 came from ticket sales, on-the-night sales of refreshments, a raffle and a complete sell out of Santa hats. The latter was achieved after (some would say, but we couldn’t possibly comment) a rather excitable sales pitch by Conductor Richard Wilton who, incidentally, ended up the only person in the building without one!
Local shoe retailers Pavers kindly sponsored the event through the Pavers Foundation, and Managing Director Stuart Paver contacted us upon hearing of the success of the concert, wishing to match the girls’ efforts.
The success of the night could only have been achieved through the generosity and effort of many companies and individuals.
Thanks must go to:
Manor CE Academy, not only for supporting the girls (both students at the Academy) by providing the venue on very favourable terms, but also to Mrs Watson, DT Food teacher and Isobel’s form tutor, for rallying a few little helpers to bake hundreds of mince pies for us all to enjoy.
Pavers Foundation and Stuart Paver for their generous sponsorship and support.
The Grand Hotel, Lunchbox productions, Leeds Bradford Airport, Yorkshire County Cricket Club and Neary’s Butchers for generous raffle prizes.
Finally, the biggest thank-you of all goes to Shepherd Group Brass Band for offering their time and talent. They treated us all to a tinsel-tastic evening in aid of York Against Cancer; here’s to the next one!