The St John Singers' Magic of Christmas Concert held in the historic St Thomas' Church raised an incredible £3,500 for EdUkaid.  The annual concert gave a capacity audience at St Thomas’s an evening of delight. The Choir was in fine form in a variety of seasonal items from Anton Bruckner to John Rutter, conducted by Stephen Abbott. Their new accompanist Ben Maton provided piano playing of distinction. Sharing the music was the ensemble Gallery Brass in their concert debut led by trumpeter Chris Holmes, and their warm tones lifted us all in the shared carols.

The African Crib Carol was very appropriate at this generous fundraising event. The customary grand raffle provide a further opportunity to help this worthy cause raising an incredible £1,000 alone. On a very wet, dark evening the uplifting music, the wine and mince pies generously donated by Reeve the Baker and the camaraderie of the audience all contributed to the magic.

The money raised will fund two pre-primary classes at EdUKaid’s most remote partner schools giving 264 children aged 4 – 7 the education they so desperately need. It will pay for the salaries of 2 teachers and 2 assistants for a whole year and provide the children with essential resources such as chalk and paper. The Magic of Christmas Concert will truly transform lives.

Grateful thanks to the following businesses that so kindly donated raffle prizes:

• Sugar Wish Cakes and Bakes
• Salisbury Racecourse
• The Red Lion Hotel
• Nuggs Café & Wine Bar
• Regal Cinema in Fordingbridge
• Loch Fyne Whisky
• Chas H Baker
• Arundells
• Pritchetts Family Butchers
• Britz Fish & Chips 
• Dinghams Cookshop
• Downton Brewery
• Splendid Dressing Up
• Wiltshire Creative
• Tesco Extra Salisbury