Image: Diana MacKenzie-Charrington at Carols from Chelsea. Credit: ICR/ProfotoDesign
Organising such an extraordinary event is a major operation, and since 2015 Diana MacKenzie-Charrington has been chair of the Carols from Chelsea committee, translating her passion for cancer research into action by organising unforgettable evenings for our supporters. After seven successful years in the role, she’s recently stepped down.
Beyond planning incredible services year-on-year, Diana has a more personal connection to cancer:
“Seven years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy and six weeks of radiotherapy at The Royal Marsden and have been clear since.”
This wasn’t to be her only experience with the disease. A few years after her treatment, Diana’s husband Mark received a prostate cancer diagnosis. After an operation and course of radiotherapy, he also recovered.
While Diana feels lucky that they were both treated relatively quickly, she remarks on the difficult experience: “You just think ‘Oh no, here we go again’. We’re both pragmatic people, but no one wants to hear the word ‘cancer’, and it’s certainly not a word you want to hear more than once.”
Image: Diana and her husband Mark at their home in Gloucestershire. Credit: Diana MacKenzie-Charrington
‘I would do anything for the ICR’
Diana’s pragmatism about her and her husband’s diagnoses is accompanied by her passion for supporting cancer research. With the perspective of lived experience, she’s channelled the shock of ‘hearing cancer twice’ into her determination to raise funds for vital studies, improving outcomes for those who haven’t been as fortunate as her.
“I was lucky enough that my cancer was treatable, and although outcomes have improved over the years, not everyone is so fortunate. If we can stop cancer in its tracks, for everyone, it will be amazing.
“The ICR is one of the world’s most influential cancer research institutes. For me, being chair of the Carols committee is all about solving the mysteries of cancer by supporting vital science, both by raising money but also by lifting the profile of a charity as special as the ICR. My committee and I would do anything for the ICR.”
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The impact of fundraising
During her time on the Carols committee, not only has Diana helped raise over £1 million for our research, but she has been able to see the impact fundraising such as this has on those living with cancer.
“During the years I have been involved in fundraising for the Institute of Cancer Research, I have been amazed by the dedication of the hard-working scientists and their resulting findings.
“Over that time, there’s been huge progress in cancer research and treatment. Not only have treatments changed, but the improved outcomes have shifted how people talk about having cancer. People are less afraid; there’s much more hope.
“Thanks to discoveries like those made at the ICR, funded by events such as Carols from Chelsea, cancer is no longer necessarily a life sentence. I think that’s absolutely fantastic.”
Image: The Wren Chapel packed with guests during Carols from Chelsea 2022. Credit: ICR/ProfotoDesign
‘An event like no other’
For the last two decades, Carols from Chelsea has been held at the Wren Chapel at the Royal Hospital Chelsea each December. A year in the planning, the event sees hundreds of guests starting their festive season in style. With a programme of breath-taking carols and a star-studded speaker line up followed by a champagne reception, it’s become a highlight of the ICR’s social and fundraising calendar.
“Carols from Chelsea is an event like no other,” she says, “the combination of the stunning setting, unique atmosphere and amazing speakers are what make it such an extraordinary and successful evening.’
Over her years on the committee, Diana has seen scores of celebrity guest speakers read at the service, including Dominic West, Jeremy Paxman, Vanessa Kirby, Michael Palin, Prue Leith, George Alagiah and, in her final year as chair, Eddie Redmayne. Last year, for the first time, the celebrity speakers were joined by Mike Shaw, who gave a moving tribute to his daughter Abbie. Abbie died of cancer when she was five years old and Abbie’s Fund, set up in her name, now supports our research into neuroblastoma.
A team effort
During her time as chair, Diana has had an invaluable impact, but she insists she couldn’t have done it without the team behind her, who are all passionate about raising money for our research:
“The committee are integral to the whole event. They’re the ones who get the amazing readers, the advertising and our guests. They get prizes for the lucky envelopes and silent auction. It’s all about the committee – they have reached far wider than I could on my own. They’re great, they really are great. There’s no way I could’ve done it without them.”
She has now handed over the reins to Naomi Leveson-Gower, who shared her appreciation:
“Carols from Chelsea is an incredible event that captures the true spirit of the season. Diana has set a high bar, and it is both an honour and a challenge to be taking on the role as chair of the committee.
“I want to thank Diana for her commitment to making the event a great success and I look forward to continuing in that success and raising more money to support ICR scientists in developing new and better treatments for people with cancer.”
Diana admits she’ll be sad to no longer be leading the team – but she won’t be saying goodbye:
“After ten years of being on the committee, I think it’s time to get fresh people and fresh ideas through. But at my final Carols from Chelsea service as chair in December, I was quite emotional. I’ve loved every minute of it. So I’ll miss it - but I’ll still be going to the event of course!”
All proceeds from Carols from Chelsea go towards our world-leading cancer research. This year, please join us to celebrate our 21st service and help more people survive cancer.
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