Magical Christmas Carol Service raises thousands to help save more lives in the capital

An uplifting evening of Christmas carols and mince pies hosted by London Ambulance Service has helped raise £4,500 to save even more lives in London.

The ‘Together in Song’ service at St Bride’s Church in Fleet Street on Tuesday raised money for the London Ambulance Service charity to help place more publicly accessible defibrillators around London and fund wellbeing initiatives for LAS staff.

The congregation sang seasonal favourites including ‘Silent Night’, ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’ and ‘Good King Wenceslas’ while the church’s excellent choir wowed the audience with versions of ‘We wish you a merry Christmas’ and Chris Rea’s 1980s hit single ‘Driving Home for Christmas’.

There were also poignant moments among the laughter and candlelight. Dr Dom Pimenta MD, CEO of AI start-up company TORTUS which sponsored the event, gave one of the readings. Before reading from ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’, he revealed his gratitude to London ambulance for saving the life of a relative. He was followed at the lectern by the mother of a 17-year-old cardiac arrest survivor, Donna Rosenwould.

London Ambulance Service’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Fenella Wrigley thanked the congregation for attending and helping save lives.

She said:

“It is very hard to describe what it feels like to save a life or meet someone whose life was saved – we have a number of guests in the audience who have survived a cardiac arrest or saved patients’ lives. I am delighted that you are with us.

“Your attendance today at our carol service is truly helping save even more lives in London. Thank you for being here, and for all your support.”

London Ambulance Service is working to increase survival rates for people who have suffered a cardiac arrest – where a person’s heart stops beating and cuts off blood and oxygen to the body.

The London Ambulance Charity is funding CPR training through our London Lifesavers campaign and installing public-access defibrillators in priority neighbourhoods through the London Heart Starters campaign.

We have already trained 46,000 Londoners, including Year-8 pupils, and funded 200 defibrillators. We are working with local councillors and the Mayor of London’s team to place them in areas of highest need.

Jessica Burgess, Head of the London Ambulance Charity, said:

“It was wonderful that so many people supported our first ever Christmas Carol concert. It was such a magical evening.

“There will be many ways to support us over the next year so please look at our website and think whether you can support us. And if you are still thinking of a charitable donation this Christmas time, please visit London Ambulance Charity.”