Christmas fundraising boost for Hope House

Hope House Children’s Hospices has received a festive fundraising boost thanks to their annual Santa Fun Run, and a special Christmas song launched to raise money for the charity. 

More than 200 people joined Hope House’s annual starlit Santa Fun Run and Walk around Oswestry this week (Sunday 4 December 2011), helping to raise much-needed funds for the charity. 

Now Hope House is hoping people will help raise even more money by downloading the special version of “O Holy Night” that has been recorded and produced by local musician Charlotte Edwards and Shropshire Council. 

The song can be downloaded from iTunes for 79p, with proceeds going to Hope House to help in their valuable work. 

Charlotte, 20, from Oswestry is studying music at Cardiff University.  She sings in both the University Choir and University Chamber Choir.   She also plays in the Cardiff University Concert Orchestra, and has recently joined the BBC National Chorus of Wales. 

Keith Barrow, Leader of Shropshire Council, said:

“Christmas is a time for children and we really want to support our local charity Hope House with their fundraising this year.  This is a charity that is particularly close to my heart; they provide such a vital service to children, young people and their families across Shropshire and Wales, and we must ensure that this continues. 

“Lots of people have already downloaded the song and we hope many more will do so in the coming weeks.”

Sarah Elms from Hope House, said:

“As soon as I heard about this fundraising idea from the council I was very excited; everyone involved has worked very hard to bring it all together, and what better way to raise money for terminally ill children than with a beautiful version of this Christmas song. If we can get everyone we know to download this from iTunes for as little as 79p it will have the potential to make thousands of pounds for the hospice.” 

Hope House has hospices in Oswestry, Shropshire, and in Conwy, North Wales. 

For a sample of the song, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uv4rwTPINgM