Image: Inside Wren Chapel at the Carols from Chelsea 2018 event. Credit: ICR / ProfotoDesign.
Some famous faces from stage and screen came together yesterday (Tuesday 4 December) to mark the start of the festive season and support The Institute of Cancer Research, London, at our exclusive carol service.
Actor and author Jane Asher, Bodyguard and Thick of It actor Vincent Franklin, and star of The Archers Simon Williams all gave readings at the annual Carols from Chelsea service, in aid of The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR).
The celebrated young Armenian singer Anush Hovhannisyan gave a beautiful performance at the star-studded event, which is the flagship fundraiser for the ICR.
And the winners of BBC Radio 2 Young Choristers of the Year 2018 – Cassian Pichler-Roca from Dean Close School in Cheltenham and Emilia Jaques from Queen Mary's School in North Yorkshire – moved Carols from Chelsea attendees with their angelic voices.
Proceeds going to the ICR's world-leading research
The service took place in the stunning surroundings of Wren’s chapel at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, which has generously hosted the event for many years.
The beautiful service featured a wonderful programme of readings, traditional carols and music, including seasonal favourites by Handel and Bach. Afterwards there was a champagne and canapé reception.
Attendees had the opportunity to make fundraising pledges throughout the evening and all proceeds from the service will go towards the ICR’s world-leading research, which takes place in labs in Chelsea and Sutton.
The ICR has been carrying out pioneering research into the causes of cancer, and how it might be diagnosed, treated or prevented, for more than 100 years.
Today, it is a world leader at discovering new cancer drugs, identifying cancer-related genes and developing new forms of high-precision radiotherapy.
The ICR discovers more new cancer drugs than any other academic centre in the world – including the pioneering prostate cancer drug abiraterone, which has benefited hundreds of thousands of men worldwide.
Our latest research shows that within the next decade, we can make acute lymphoblastic leukaemia preventable. Your support will help us make this disease a thing of the past.
Photos from the event
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Images: Anush Hovhannisyan singing; Carols from Chelsea programmes; Wren Chapel; Group shot of Emilia Jaques, Vincent Franklin, Paul Workman and Cassian Pichler-Roca. Credit: ICR / ProfotoDesign.
Highlight of the ICR’s social calendar
Jane Asher, who read at Carols from Chelsea for the ICR, said:
“I was delighted to be asked to read at Carols from Chelsea. I’m amazed by how much the ICR has done to transform our understanding of cancer and improve cancer treatment. I hope my contribution can help support their work to improve and save the lives of people with cancer.”
Lara Jukes, Director of Development at he ICR, said:
“Carols from Chelsea is the highlight of the ICR’s social calendar. It’s a wonderful occasion in a beautiful location that makes the perfect start to the festive season. And, most importantly, Carols from Chelsea is an opportunity to help support the ICR’s pioneering research which is improving cancer diagnosis and treatment all the time.”
As a research institute and charity, the ICR relies on the generosity of the public to help raise the funds needed to make the discoveries that will defeat cancer.
Find out more about the ICR’s special events programme and other ways to support the ICR.