Stars line up to help Chox (From Oxford Mail)

Stars line up to help Chox

8:55am Tuesday 14th November 2006 in

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A star-studded line-up of celebrities will be appearing at a Christmas carol concert in aid of the Oxford Children's Hospital Campaign.

Impressionist Rory Bremner, singer Jason Donovan, and broadcaster Sue Lawley will give readings at the concert at Dorchester Abbey on Thursday, December 7, at 7.30pm.

Actor Simon Callow was scheduled to join them, but he has been cast in a Shakespeare production at Stratford and is unable to take part.

New College Choir, one of the most famous choral ensembles in the world, has also been booked for the event, which organisers hope will raise £40,000 for the new hospital, which is due to open in January.

Caroline Compston, who is on the committee organising the fundraising evening, said: "We got in touch through personal contacts, and they all said they wanted to be involved.

"We are on tenterhooks about Jason Donovan because he is starring in I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!, but we understand that he will be back in time, even if he is in the final.

"We are talking to managers to confirm that he is going to be available - we are very hopeful that he will be.

"We are also searching furiously for a replacement for Simon Callow, who unfortunately is unable to make it because he is appearing in The Merry Wives of Windsor."

Ms Compston, who lives near Deddington, said there had been a massive demand for tickets and there were now only a few remaining.

The abbey holds 600 people, but organisers are hoping to squeeze another 100 into the audience.

Among the readings will be passages from children's books, including Memories of Christmas by Dylan Thomas, King John, a poem by AA Milne, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, and The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde.

Mrs Compston said people who were unable to attend the concert could still make donations by making cheques paying to ORH Charitable Funds (Dorchester) and sending them to 12 Lakeside, Oxford, OX2 8JG.

Alice Gosling, director of fundraising at Chox, said: "This is a perfect way to set the scene for Christmas and think about children at this time of year.

"We still have just over £2m to raise and this event will help us on our way to reaching that goal."

For tickets, call 01865 558165.

Ms Compston helped stage an opera event two years ago which raised £54,000 for the children's hospital.

Her son Benji, who is 14, suffers from Crohn's Disease, and has visited the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford for treatment on numerous occasions.

Ms Compston added: "I know Benji is looking forward to the opening of the new children's hospital."