Carols by Candlelight-a night to remember
On Thursday 16th December, we welcomed our wonderful supporters, friends, and donors for an amazing festive evening at the beautiful Manchester Cathedral for our famous Carols by Candlelight event. Our first year back since 2019!
Oh what a night!
Guests were treated to a host of fantastic performances from our superb compare extraordinaire, Dave Steele-The Blind Poet, Martin Toal, Denise Leigh & Stefan Andrusyschyn, Marnie Lane and The Inner Vision Orchestra.
The evening started with Kevin Brady-our Chair of Trustees followed an opening by Dave Steele- The Blind Poet who wrote on his way to the event a wonderful poem celebrating the evening:
It’s been 2 years since the last time that we all gathered here
Singing carols under candlelight
Bringing in the festive cheer
And although the world has changed so much, and we’ve be home in doors
Tonight, let’s join together as we celebrate Henshaws
We’re thankful for the time they take in offering support
To lift the gloom through every zoom with care and extra thought
The latest in technology that helps us with inclusion
Or just a simple piece of advice to clear up the confusion
So, let’s sing a little louder for our friends who can’t be here
Let’s cherish all that we still have as we end another year
So, as we sing our carols under flame of candlelight
Let’s give applause for Henshaws on this very special night
Visitors sang to their hearts content over popular carols such as Away in a Manger, Hark the Herald Angels Sing and our personal favourite, We Wish You a Merry Christmas during the evening.
During the night, guests were also delighted to be offered mulled wine, hot beverages and mince pies at the stunning Manchester Cathedral, a place of welcome and hospitality for over 1300 years.
The evening raised over £9500.00.
People from around the North West living with sight loss will hugely benefit from money raised from the event through sales of tickets, raffle contributions and generous donations.
Thank you to everyone for attending and supporting Henshaws for this wonderful event.
Download our brochure from the eveningA huge thank you goes out to:
Our headline sponsor: Cargill https://www.cargill.com/
Manchester Cathedral https://www.manchestercathedral.org/
Kathryn L Wilkinson Wealth Management Ltd https://kathwilkinson.co.uk/
Asda stores from Chadderton and Trafford Park https://www.asda.com/
Tesco stores from Chadderton https://tesco.com
Candle Warehouse Ltd https://candle-warehouse.uk/
The Hilton, Manchester https://www.hilton.com/en/
Majestic Wine, Wythenshawe https://www.majestic.co.uk/
Geoff Johnson -service user and supporter
Our Volunteers from JMW Solicitors, Manchester https://www.jmw.co.uk/
To our performers
Dave Steele
Denise Leigh & Stefan Andrusyschyn
Marnie Lane
Martin Toal
The Inner Vision Orchestra
A special thanks also to
Erinma Bell; Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester
National Lottery Community Fund
The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers
And finally
A huge thank you to our service user Graham and Volunteers from JMW Solicitors.
For details on opportunities for corporate partnerships, please contact:
Mel Scholefield, Fundraising Development Manager
Mobile: 07970 636 721 or email: mel.scholefield@henshaws.org.uk
We can't do it without you
Henshaws rely on voluntary donations; our work just wouldn’t be possible without people like you. Your support empowers local people living with sight loss and a range of other disabilities to increase their independence, achieve their dreams, and go beyond expectations.
