Coming of Christmas Event Raises Over £5,000 for HFT

The spectacle of Christmas was well and truly on display at Dorchester Abbey last week as more than 200 guests came together for Hft’s annual The Coming of Christmas, the festive fundraiser that has been running for nearly 30 years.

The event, held on 14 December, raises vital funds for the people supported by Hft. The amount raised so far this year is already up to £5,000 and counting.

Visitors were greeted at the majestic doors to the Abbey by twinkling lights and the glow of candles which introduced a special evening of festive music and readings. The incredible voices of the Donaghue Consort rang out, ensuring it was a wonderful way to herald the coming of Christmas.

Guests were inspired by readings from some of the people Hft supports. Linda, who is supported in Hft’s Gloucestershire service, is a passionate poet, and treated the audience to a recital of her latest poem. Sally, who is also supported in Gloucestershire, created beautiful Christmas ornaments which she showed off at the event.

There were also 25 students from Dorchester St Birinus Primary School who sang in support of Hft.

Richard Barber, a longstanding supporter of the charity, who is also a Patron and a relative of a person supported by Hft, was at the event. He said: “It was a real triumph, not only with the quality of performance/singing but with the fact that you managed to completely fill the Abbey. So, the message of Hft received such wide publicity, especially among the many people there who didn’t know Hft at first hand – particularly the parents of the little choristers – and who now have a real awareness of us and what we stand for. I know from past experience what a huge amount of work is involved in putting on these events and everything was so well organised down to the last detail – thank you for putting on such a terrific show.”