Christmas concert a huge success for Breast Cancer Campaign

12/7/2011 11:00 AM EST

Press Release

For immediate release: 7 December 2011

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra played host to a star-studded Christmas concert to raise money for Breast Cancer Campaign, which funds vital breast cancer research.

The Magic of Christmas, created by composer Debbie Wiseman, and introduced by Simon Bates featured Royal Philharmonic Orchestra performances of a number of Christmas favourites including The Nutcracker Suite, Sleigh Ride and White Christmas. Robert Powell, Cherie Lunghi, George Layton and James Loynes were among the special guests.

Debbie Wiseman said: “I was thrilled to be part of the Magic of Christmas. Not only was it a wonderful night of festive music, but it was all in aid of a fantastic charity, Breast Cancer Campaign. I’d like to thank everyone for their support of the concert and hope that everyone who came along had a magical afternoon.”

The concert also featured the world première performance of George Layton’s classic story The Fib – a touching Christmas story from his best-selling book The Fib And Other Stories, which is on the National Curriculum.

With music by the acclaimed composer Debbie Wiseman, the performance of The Fib told the story of a young boy, a self-confessed coward, who ‘claims’ that his Uncle is Bobby Charlton. It was read by the author.

Guests were also delighted by a special appearance from Sir Bobby Charlton himself. Following the performance of The Fib, the football legend appeared on stage alongside George Layton and spoke to the audience.

This special event raised money for Breast Cancer Campaign, which aims to beat breast cancer by funding innovative world-class research to understand how breast cancer develops, leading to improved diagnosis, treatment, prevention and cure.

George Layton, actor and writer, is best known for his roles in Doctor in the House, It Ain’t Half Hot, Mum and more recently EastEnders said: “This was a very exciting event for me as the concert featured a world premiere of my story The Fib set to music! I hope everyone enjoyed the show and got into the Christmas spirit, while at the same time raising vital funds for breast cancer research.”

ENDS

Notes to editors

• The Breast Cancer Campaign Tissue Bank, the UK’s first ever national breast cancer tissue bank is a unique collaboration with four leading research institutions to create a vital resource of breast cancer tissue for researchers across the UK and Ireland. Visit breastcancertissuebank.org
• Breast Cancer Campaign aims to beat breast cancer by funding innovative world-class research to understand how breast cancer develops, leading to improved diagnosis, treatment, prevention and cure
• The charity currently funds 105 projects worth over £17.3 million in 31 locations across the UK and Ireland
• Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK and accounts for nearly one in three of all cancers in women
• In the UK, around 48,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year - that’s 130 a day
• Visit breastcancercampaign.org or follow us at twitter.com/bccampaign