Salford Charity christmas concert

A Salford charity’s Christmas concert has moved online for the first time due to Tier Three restrictions. 

‘Christmas is Coming’ is an annual concert held at Salford Cathedral that supports numerous Salford charities each year.

Previously supporting Age UK, this year the concert is raising money for Salford charities Caritas Salford and Loaves & Fishes.

On Wednesday, December 16 at 7pm, the concert will be streamed online for the first time, with more than 150 people taking part over the night.

Paul Ashton has been one of the organisers for the concert for the past five years, but is now also a chair of Loaves & Fishes.

He said: “I organise this concert every year, together with my wife.

Christmas is Coming organiser and Loaves & Fishes Chair of Trustees, Paul Ashton. (cc: Salford Loaves and Fishes)

“We were aware of the work of Salford Loaves & Fishes, and Caritas is the home charity, belonging to the cathedral, so we proposed to do it for the two charities jointly.

“In organising this concert, that’s how I got involved within Loaves & Fishes and then became the Chair of Trustees.”

Loaves & Fishes works to help homeless and vulnerable people in Salford. Located on Paddington Close near Pendleton, the charity relies on the support and kindness of donations and fundraising.

Mr Ashton added: “Every day we’re helping people who are either homeless or are in specific sheltered housing.

“Especially at the moment, since Covid-19, we’re finding the demand for our services is even higher than ever.

“But that’s one part of what we do. We also help people by signposting them to other services. Quite often our support workers are helping people in how to contact the necessary people for Universal Credit.”

Loading...

Loading…

The concert will also be raising money for Caritas Diocese of Salford, a charity based at Salford Cathedral, which aims to help the most vulnerable children, young people and adults within the community.

Mark Wiggin, director of Caritas Diocese of Salford, said: “When there’s ‘no room at the inn’ for people today, Caritas Salford – with the help of generous donations from those watching the concert – will be able to support individuals and families without a permanent home, to get back into a home, back on their feet and feeling hope for their future.”

Inside Salford Cathedral, where the concert will be broadcast from. (cc: Salford Loaves and Fishes)

From 7pm this Wednesday, Christmas is Coming will showcase various performances from schoolchildren to professional performers, including BBC Radio Manchester presenter Mike Sweeney and Cold Feet actor John Thompson.

There will also be special guest speakers including a message from Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham about the importance of tackling homelessness.

The live-streamed concert is free to watch, but donations will be greatly appreciated by Loaves & Fishes and Caritas Diocese of Salford.

Tune into the ‘Christmas is Coming’ concert live from 6pm on December 16 via the ‘Christmas is Coming’ Facebook page.

Donations can also be made via the ‘Christmas is Coming’ JustGiving page or by texting 21HOPE 3 to 70085 to donate £3

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *