It proved an emotional start to the festive season at the Cathedral of St John the Baptist, as a standing ovation lit up a Christmas carol concert.
Local charity Break hosted the event at Norwich's Catholic cathedral, in Unthank Road, and received £2,000 in donations to help continue their efforts to make life better for young people in and around care.
Norwich School Choir and Taverham Brass Band provided the seasonal sounds as hymns and carols echoed around the cathedral but the show was stolen by two youngsters who wanted to show how much Break has helped them.
Ashlee’s emotionally-charged reading about her experiences was followed by Finn singing the Keane hit Somewhere Only We Know with the accompaniment of three choristers – telling the audience it was a song he treasured from singing with his father before he died.
Followed by a standing ovation, both performances showed attendees just how valued the work of Break is.
The charity was responsible for bringing the popular T.rex and mammoth sculptures to the streets of Norfolk this summer, which raised over £400,000 when they were auctioned off in September.
The concert was held as Break raises awareness of its Christmas campaign Small Things.
Chief executive, Rachel Cowdry, said: “Thanks to this year’s John Lewis Christmas advert, those 100,000 young people who are often hidden away from the limelight, were rightly propelled into centre stage.
“It shows that all young people in care are worth going that extra mile for and this is what we do every day at Break.
"Not every young person will be with a family this Christmas but by supporting our campaign, whether it’s through donating, buying a gift or simply helping us to raise awareness, together we can create a brighter tomorrow for these children and young adults.”
The campaign highlights that a £5 donation could help to buy arts and crafts materials to use in therapeutic sessions or that £20 could allow a volunteer mentor to take their mentee out for a meal or a trip to the cinema to help build their relationship.
For more about Break and to donate to its Christmas appeal, head to break-charity.org.
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