The service at St Mary’s Church repeated previous years’ success with over 360 staff, students and locals attending for a memorable evening of songs, readings and refreshments.

Highlights of the night included performances by Luton Youth Cantores Girls’ Choir – whose compilation including singing a verse of Silent Night in German – as well as Vice Chancellor Bill Rammell’s reading of a World War One soldier’s letter to his girlfriend.

Almost £2,000 was collected for the Save the Childrens’ Ebola Appeal, the official charity of the night, which helps teams in West Africa responding to the Ebola outbreak.

Another £720 was raised to sponsor a young person in Uganda to train in conservation agriculture at Amigos charity’s Kira Farm, after Revd. Andrew Goodman held up a £20 note at the start of the Service and challenged the congregation to match the donation.

They responded by raising a record amount for this good cause.

Further information on the personal and spiritual support the University of Bedfordshire is able to offer its student can be found at www.beds.ac.uk/faiths

Winner of #Bedsmas 14 is:

Harley & Maison, entranced by Tinsel Angel Phd student Sisi from Xian - Carols @uniofbeds @stmarysluton  #bedsmas14 pic.twitter.com/1GnYY4UikN

— Tree House (@UoBTreehouse) December 5, 2014