Help Give the Gift of Sight this Christmas

Fight for Sight, the UK’s leading eye research charity, will be hosting its first Christmas Carol Concert.     

The charity that funds pioneering research to help prevent sight loss and treat eye disease will be hosting the event at St Stephen Walbrook church, in the heart of London City, on Tuesday 6 December at 6.30pm. The church is one of Sir Christopher Wren's smaller masterpieces and the event is kindly supported by Cazenove Charities.

Presenter and broadcaster, Jan Leeming, a Patron of Fight for Sight will be doing a reading. Jan was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration 15 years ago, a condition that robbed her father of his sight. Watch Jan’s story here.

Jan said: “My father had age-related macular degeneration. I didn’t give a thought to whether I might have macular degeneration because I didn’t know that it was inherited. When he did lose his sight, it was very sad in all sorts of ways. I knew how frustrated he was at not being able to read, and write letters, and it was difficult to watch television.

“I think my father coped with his blindness extremely well but it affected me and my family because we could see his frustration and there was nothing we could do. As well as a good diet I have been taking supplements for over 10 years and I’m sure that has helped me. From last year to this year, the scan of my eye showed that there’s virtually no change, so I walk away feeling very comforted. I was keen to support the charity and the vital eye research work they do in order to create a future everyone can see.”

Jan will be joined by BBC Radio 4 broadcaster and charity Patron, Sue MacGregor, who will also read at the service. She said: “I'm delighted to be part of Fight for Sight’s Carol Concert this Christmas, in the beautiful church of St. Stephen Walbrook. I've supported the charity for many years. It’s vital we invest in pioneering eye research, and it would be wonderful if the Carol Concert could raise significant funds for the fight against sight loss.”

The Imperial College Choir, made up of students from Imperial College London, will be providing entertainment and singing popular carols. The charity is funding 152 research projects at 43 universities and hospitals across the country, including at Imperial College London.

Hannah Cosh, Head of Fundraising at Fight for Sight, said: “We are delighted to host our first festive concert to help raise awareness of the charity and the vital research work we fund across the country. Attending guests will help to give the gift of sight this Christmas by supporting eye research to help stop sight loss in its tracks. A special thanks to Jan, Sue, Cazenove Charities and the Imperial College Choir – we’re looking forward to the event.”

Lucinda Napier, Portfolio Director, Cazenove Charities said: “We are thrilled to be involved in your first Christmas Carol Concert. Fight for Sight has an incredible reach and supports some extraordinary work. Cazenove Charities is delighted to be able to work with you to help achieve your goals.”

Following the concert, there will be a drinks reception with festive treats. You can book your £25 (adult) or £10 (child) tickets online, by emailing events@fightforsight.org.uk or calling 020 7264 3919.