Annual concert to boost lifeline Sunderland charity

An annual festive concert is expected to raise thousands of pounds for a lifeline Sunderland charity.
Director of the Sunderland branch of Age UK Sunderland Alan Patchett (left) along with fundraising volunteer Gordon Quinn at the launch of this year's Christmas Spectacular to be held on Friday 9th December.  Picture by FRANK REIDDirector of the Sunderland branch of Age UK Sunderland Alan Patchett (left) along with fundraising volunteer Gordon Quinn at the launch of this year's Christmas Spectacular to be held on Friday 9th December.  Picture by FRANK REID
Director of the Sunderland branch of Age UK Sunderland Alan Patchett (left) along with fundraising volunteer Gordon Quinn at the launch of this year's Christmas Spectacular to be held on Friday 9th December. Picture by FRANK REID

The Christmas Spectacular has been running in the city for about a decade and will this year, for the fifth-year running, raise funds for Age UK Sunderland.

Hosted at the Salvation Army Citadel in Roker Avenue, it will feature performances from world-renowned opera singer, Graeme Danby, Valerie Reid, professor of voice studies at Sunderland University, Andrew Hedley, euphonium virtuoso from the Reg Vardy band and 12-piece Sunderland University choir Dodici Voce.

The office of the Sunderland branch of Age UK Sunderland Stockton Road, Sunderland.  Picture by FRANK REIDThe office of the Sunderland branch of Age UK Sunderland Stockton Road, Sunderland.  Picture by FRANK REID
The office of the Sunderland branch of Age UK Sunderland Stockton Road, Sunderland. Picture by FRANK REID
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Proceeds will all go to Age UK, based in Stockton Road, to support its vital work with older people living in Sunderland.

Volunteer and organiser Gordon Quinn said: “Last year we raised £2,500 for Age UK and it would be great to raise that amount again.

“Major Martin Sayer from the Roker Avenue citadel has very generously allowed us to use the building for free, meaning all the proceeds will go to Age UK.”

Alan Patchett, director at Age UK Sunderland, said: “The Christmas Spectacular is always a fantastic night and we rely on this event to help us do a lot of things.

The office of the Sunderland branch of Age UK Sunderland Stockton Road, Sunderland.  Picture by FRANK REIDThe office of the Sunderland branch of Age UK Sunderland Stockton Road, Sunderland.  Picture by FRANK REID
The office of the Sunderland branch of Age UK Sunderland Stockton Road, Sunderland. Picture by FRANK REID
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“We have a campaign called ‘No one should have no one’ which helps to provide services in the city and the concert will help with that.”

l The Christmas Spectacular, sponsored by John G Hogg Funeral Directors, is on, December 9 at the Salvation Army in Roker Avenue. Doors at 6.15pm. Tickets, £10 and include mince pies and coffee, available from Age UK on 0191 514 1131; from Gordon Quinn on 07718 521943 or Major Martin Sayer on 0191 548 6831.