Festive Carols by Candlelight event at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral raises over £16k for NSPCC

A night of festive music in Liverpool has raised more than £16,000 for the NSPCC.

The Carols By Candlelight event, organised by NSPCC staff in Liverpool, took place in the city’s Metropolitan Cathedral on December 6.

A total of £16,594, which will go towards the NSPCC’s mission of ensuring every child is safe, was raised on the night.

Around 1,750 people – about 400 more than last year – attended to see music from across Merseyside, including PopVox, Metropolitan Cathedral Youth Choir, Connected Voices Choir and Wirral Schools’ Concert Band.

The annual event – sponsored by Home Bargains, is one of the city’s major fundraisers for the charity, which was founded in Liverpool and has a base at The Hargreaves Centre in Great Homer Street.

The event was possible thanks to the efforts of 20 volunteers who helped out with ticket admissions, seat allocations and more.

The amount was raised through tickets sales, a bucket collection on the night and donations via a QR code.

Janette Drew, NSPCC Community Fundraiser in the North West, was one of the main organisers of the event.

She said: “We would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to everyone who kindly volunteered and supported this event.

“We are so thrilled to have raised so much for the NSPCC.

“We had a huge bucket collection – cash is still king in Liverpool.

“The choirs were amazing on the night. Our readers were Rob Pope and Joe McGann and the event was compered by Bishop Tom Williams. Everyone did such a great job.

“This is an important fundraising event in our calendar and it was great to see such a positive response. Fundraising such as this allows the NSPCC to continue its vital work in child protection in Liverpool.”

Janette is hoping to do more fundraising events across Liverpool throughout 2023 and will be looking for local people to join in and offer their support.

She added: “Getting involved in events like this gives you a real feel-good factor.

“You help to create a fantastic events that people enjoy and have the knowledge that the money you help raise helps many local children and families.

“Please get in touch via janette.drew@nspcc.org.uk or 0161 3934212 if you would like to learn more about how you can help.”

Find out more about the charity here.