Wed 14th December, 2011
Bedford’s homeless are set to benefit from a Christmas concert organised by the University of Bedfordshire.
Scores of local people came to the University’s Bedford campus for the concert held in aid of the CRIB Appeal - Christmas Relief in Bedford for the Homeless and Rootless.
The evening was divided between story and song, with the University’s Theatre Society performing a play called ‘The Story’ to start the celebration. It added a contemporary and relevant twist to the Nativity story.
After mince pies and mulled wine, the audience was treated to a sing-along with Bedford Choral Society, with members of the Theatre Society giving a short history of each favourite carol sung.
The CRIB Appeal is run by Bedford Concern for the Homeless and Rootless (BeCHaR). The charity runs the Prebend Day Centre and outreach work, which is available to vulnerable men and women aged 16 and over in the Bedford area.
Donations were given by the audience. The University and SeedBeds Chaplaincy are following these up with a collection for new hats, gloves, scarves, socks, toiletries and chocolates to give as gifts to the homeless and vulnerable on Christmas Day.
SeedBeds will also accept tins and packets of food for the Prebend Day Centre food bank and have collection boxes for further donations.
SeedBeds Chaplain, Rev Cass Howes, said: “The drama performance by the University’s Theatre Society made the Christmas story really contemporary and reminded us about the marginalised and vulnerable people in our community and their sense of hopelessness. It really brought it home to the audience.
“But then Ryan from BeCHaR spoke of the work done by the charity and at Prebend Day Centre and reinforced the sense of hope that is so central to the Christmas message.
“With hot mulled wine and mince pies and several rousing carols, those who came experienced a thought-provoking evening mixed with Christmas cheer and we were delighted to raise more than £100 for Bedford’s homeless and vulnerable.”
Latest news» 2011» December» Choral Society lights up Christmas for Bedford’s homeless
