The Barnardo’s Kidsmas Live concert, powered by Vodafone, has raised vital funds to support vulnerable families across the UK. The event was hosted by Broadcaster and Heart DJ Dev Griffin and featured special performances from children’s choirs and Troy the Magician. Hundreds attended the event at Birmingham Town Hall, and many more tuned into the livestream.
The event was part of Barnardo’s Kidsmas campaign which aims to help vulnerable children rediscover the magic of Christmas this festive season. The leading national children’s charity is asking people across the country to come together with families, friends and communities to raise vital funds to help vulnerable children feel part of a happy, safe and caring Christmas.
All donations will help Barnardo’s provide vital services to support vulnerable children and young people this Christmas time and all year round: barnardos.org.uk/kidsmas.
Children’s choirs, including Merthyr Tydfil – Young Carers – made up of Barnardo’s service users – Bromsgrove School, Olive Hill Primary in Dudley and Downe House in Thatcham, belted out festive favourites; whilst Troy the Magician wowed with an illusion featuring one of his favourite Christmas presents ever received – a Rubix cube.
Dev Griffin said: “It was a huge honour to be part of this year’s Kidsmas Live. The children’s choirs were all amazing and Troy’s performance was a highlight of the night for me. It was a brilliant evening which has raised vital funds for Barnardo’s and will help it support vulnerable children and families coping with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Every donation makes a difference – please give what you can.”
Troy the Magician said: “Christmas is the best time to spread a little magic, and I am honoured to have celebrated the start of the festive season with those here in Birmingham and everyone at home. Thank you for coming or tuning in and I hope you enjoyed Kidsmas Live as much as I did. And if you missed it, catch up online and I encourage you to donate if you can to help Barnardo’s continue its brilliant work.”
Kidsmas Live followed the recent Charities Commission report which revealed that as many as 60% of charities have seen a loss of income due to the pandemic; and a third (32%) have said they’ve experienced a shortage of volunteers1.
Interim Co-CEO Michelle Lee-Izu at Barnardo’s said: “For lots of children, Christmas is a time for family, festivities and fun. But for many of the vulnerable children Barnardo’s supports, it often comes with serious challenges.
“This year, with poverty, bereavement, mental health issues, loneliness and abuse all having risen in the wake of the Covid pandemic, even more children will be deprived of the chance to enjoy the festive season.
“That’s why I’m so grateful to our fantastic host Dev Griffin and our brilliant performer Troy the Magician and to Vodafone for making Kidsmas Live such a wonderful event, and to our incredible choirs of children and young people who led us in a festive singalong. With their help, and yours, we can help raise vital funds supporting vulnerable children through this crisis and beyond.”
Vodafone and Barnardo’s also called on guests and viewers to support the Great British Tech Appeal. This asks the public and businesses to donate unwanted smartphones and tablets, Vodafone adds the connectivity and Barnardo’s distributes the tech to those who need it. To date, Tech Appeal has connected more than 7,500 young people across the UK.
Ahmed Essam, CEO, Vodafone UK said: “We have a wonderful partnership with Barnardo’s and it has been a pleasure to support Kidsmas Live once again. What a brilliant evening! A huge thank you to everyone who has supported our Great British Tech Appeal so far, and for anyone lucky enough to receive a new smartphone or tablet this Christmas, please consider sending us your old one. Together, we can give the gift of connection.”
The Great British Tech Appeal is part of Vodafone’s commitment to connect one million people by the end of 2022. To find out more and to donate please visit search Vodafone everyone connected.
