Classic FM presenter John Suchet and his wife Nula also joined the 300 guests and performers at the Holy Sepulchre church in Holborn Viaduct for The National Brain Appeal’s annual event.
They are both official ambassadors for the charity, which raises funds for The National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery in Bloomsbury.
Proceeds from the evening will go towards the charity’s £7million appeal towards the new neuroscience hospital on Gray’s Inn Road, which will transform care for people with neurological conditions and create a new neuro-research community.
Guests at the event on Thursday (December 7) heard readings by Suchet, East Finchley actress Sophie Thompson, and Crouch End-based actors Arabella Weir and Stephen Campbell Moore, who was treated at The National Hospital in 2017 for a benign brain tumour.
Consultant neurosurgeon and brain appeal trustee, Hani Marcus, read an alternative Christmas message from ’Twas the nightshift before Christmas’ by Adam Kay, poignantly reminding guests that NHS staff will be working over the holiday.
Music was provided by pianist Richard Sisson, violinist Sara Trickey, The Julius Singers and former neurosurgeon Mick Powell and consultant neurologist Dr Nick Losseff.
Claire Wood Hill, chief executive of The National Brain Appeal, said: “It was such a festive and uplifting evening. On behalf of The National Brain Appeal, I am so grateful to all of our wonderful readers and musicians and to all of our supporters who came along and got into the Christmas spirit with us.”
https://www.islingtongazette.co.uk/news/23984837.national-brain-appeal-charity-christmas-concert-2023/
