CANDLE glow and angelic voices lit up Christ Church Cathedral at the annual Spirit of Christmas event on Wednesday night.

People packed the iconic building for the event, organised by and in aid of the Muscular Dystrophy campaign.

Spirit of Christmas events, with music and readings, happen across the UK every year to raise cash and awareness on behalf of the charity.

And this year, it was nine-year-old John Dickson’s turn to light the first candle, from which all the other candles were lit in turn. John, from Bledington, near Chipping Norton, has muscular dystrophy.

His dad Paul said: “I went up with him.

“He was sat in his wheelchair because he’s not so good on his feet, and I don’t think he felt he had too many faces watching him.

“He’s a naturally shy boy, but once he got up there it felt more natural, and he really enjoyed doing it.”

He said the event “hit the right spot” and had been “thoroughly enjoyable”.

He said: “We had a lovely evening. It wasn’t too heavy. Obviously the reason for the event is to raise awareness about Muscular Dystrophy and raise a bit of money at the same time, but it didn’t go on too much about the condition.

“I had been to the Worcester event a few years ago which was great, and this one was equally good.”

Organisers of the event also hailed it as a huge success.

Zoe Williams, senior special events coordinator at the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, said: “The carol concert was a resounding success and we have been blown away by Oxford’s generosity and support for people with devastating muscle-wasting conditions.

“Over five hundred people attended the festive event, raising an incredible £15,000 for the charity.”

At the event, readings were given by celebrities who attended to show their support.

Claudie Blakley, known for her role as Emma Timmins in BBC’s popular period drama Lark Rise to Candleford, and Anthony Howell, who appears as Sgt Paul Milner in the classic ITV drama Foyle’s War, were among a host of distinguished theatre, TV and film performers at the concert.

Olivier Award-winning actors and actresses Tamsin Greig, Sophie Thompson, Sasha Behar, Bill Paterson and Jamie Glover were also on the line-up.

The event also featured performances from 2011 Songs of Praise finalists, Oxford’s Dragon School Choir.