In its fifth year, HRH The Princess of Wales hosted a special carol concert at Westminster Abbey on 5th December. It is a special moment to bring together people from across the UK and thank those who have gone above and beyond to support others in their communities during the past year.
This year’s theme was love and celebrating the power that it has to connect us all. Love is seen in many forms in our communities every day; whether through the care we show one another to the kindness and understanding of strangers and those who volunteer their time to support vulnerable people.
The Lieutenancy nominated a very special group of individuals to attend this year’s service; Liverpool Care Leavers’ Christmas Dinner.
On Christmas Day the group delivers a meal, gifts and handmade quilt to Care Leavers in Liverpool – someone between the ages of 16-25 who has been in residential or foster care – who is living independently, many without family support. The group has approximately 35 volunteers who give up their Christmas Day to help prepare the meal and drive round the city to deliver to the Care Leavers who may not see anyone else on this day.
Caroline Fogell, Michelle McGrath, Roxanne Gore, Rev. Philip Waldron, Hazel Gearing and Philip Knightly were the six people chosen from the larger group to attend the service. Caroline said,
“Thank you so much for inviting us to the Carol Concert at Westminster Abbey on December 5th – we had a wonderful time and met many inspiring people.
We saw the occasion as a way of representing Liverpool Care Leavers – one of our party is herself Care Experienced- and also recognition of the kindness of our volunteers who ensure the young people know they are not forgotten on Christmas Day.
We also truly appreciate your generous donation which will enable our event to go ahead this year.”
The group received a grant of £5,000 from the Duchy of Lancaster Benevolent Fund Merseyside toward’s this year’s Christmas Dinner.
