Big-hearted singers have recruited ‘The Queen’ to help spread Christmas cheer to local care homes – and also help vulnerable people in Kenya.
Sophie Vyse of Hurst met Neil Passingham 15 years ago in Reading while working at IT consulting company Sopra Steria.
The pair discovered a mutual love of singing through a workplace carol event and have been firm friends since.
Earlier this year, they had the idea to bring singers together from around Berkshire and Oxfordshire to produce a one-off recording of a socially distanced concert featuring Christmas carols and poems.
The performance was in Wallingford where Neil lives.
Sophie encouraged some creative spirit and came up with a regal touch for the concert. In suitably royal tones, she’s recorded a “message” from the Queen urging watchers to singalong.
She also asks people to donate to Abingdon-based charity The Nasio Trust, which works in Kenya.
Business coach Sophie says: “It’s wonderful to do something positive this year.
“We were inspired to support people in care homes to help them feel united and connected.
“We know that The Nasio Trust’s support for vulnerable Kenyan communities is phenomenal.
“I was moved to tears whenI watched the clip of one young man, Moses, (visit) the tree under which he was abandoned as a baby.”
One of the singers, Gill Leishman, who lives in Wokingham, says: “Everyone worked together to make the concert a 2020 success story.
“We’re aiming to reach more 10,000 views on YouTube and hope people will enjoy the show, share the link and make a donation.”
The Nasio Trust empowers communities in western Kenya to break the cycle of poverty by providing education, improving health and developing commerce through their sustainable income generating projects. Nasio offers ‘alternative Christmas gifts’ via: thenasiotrust.org/gifts.
This year Nasio are providing lifesaving Christmas boxes to families in Kenya which include a wind-up radio (for essential Covid-19 updates), a food parcel and a new dress or shirt for a child.
The concert can be watched for free by visiting youtube.com/NasioTrust. Care homes are being sent the link so residents can watch.
To donate, log on to virginmoneygiving.com/fund/nasiocarols.
By Nik Imrie
