More than 700 people gathered in Bristol Cathedral last night to celebrate the work of Above & Beyond, the charity that raises funds for all nine of Bristol city centre hospital sites at its fourth annual Christmas Star Concert.
The sold-out concert mixed traditional carol singing and festive music with inspirational speeches and reflections from former patients turned charity fundraisers.
Concert-goers were joined by Deputy Lord Mayor of Bristol, Christopher Davies, and NHS doctor, comedian and BBC Radio Bristol presenter Dr Phil Hammond, who led the proceedings.
Music was provided by The Salvation Army’s Bristol Citadel Brass Band, hospital choir The Above & Beyond Singers, South Bristol’s Cosmos Children’s Community Choir, opera singers and even a ukulele band, the Thornbury Ukeaholics, who helped bring a touch of Hawaiian sunshine to the typical British winter with their rendition of Mele Kalikimaka.
The concert, once again sponsored by the Bristol office of investment managers Rathbones, also raised more than £5,000 for projects that go above and beyond what the NHS has the means to do.
Parents Annabel and Tyrone Berkeley lit the cathedral’s memorial candle in remembrance of their daughter Amelia Rose, who died suddenly earlier this year at just nine months old.
Since then the couple from Horfield have raised more than £18,000 for Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, working closely with hospital staff to create a supportive and calm environment in the emergency department’s relatives’ room.
Former patient turned Above & Beyond fundraiser Simon Law reflected on his time at Bristol Heart Institute after suffering a heart attack aged 40. After a long recovery programme, he decided to fundraise for the charity to say thank you for the 
wonderful care he received. His most recent challenge saw him raise over £1,500 by running the Great Bristol Half Marathon on the third anniversary of his attack.
He told the audience: “I was 40 years old and up until this point felt invincible. A father and a husband I was strong and dependable. But now I felt weak and vulnerable. A dependent rather than someone to depend on.
“Although physically, I knew I could rebuild my strength, the real battle was the mental side of recovery. After-care is an area that’s often over-looked but I’m a prime example of just how important it is.
“I attended the hospital’s cardiac rehabilitation programme for three months and I strongly feel this really did make all the difference to my recovery. It’s why I decided to give something back.”
Sixteen-year-old Tom Winchester also spoke about why he is fundraising to mark a significant anniversary – 10 years since his life-threatening brain tumour was successfully removed at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.
Throughout 2016 he has hosted a number of fundraising events including a Year 7 Valentine’s disco, 15-mile walk and charity football match in an effort to reach his £5,000 target.
He said: “At every event I have done so far, I have always been asked why I fundraise for Above & Beyond. The main reason is because I want to repay the nurses and hospitals for the fantastic work they do to save young children’s lives, just like they did with mine 11 long years ago. Since it was my 10th anniversary of being tumour free, what better time to give something back and to celebrate life at the same time?”
He also read the Poem ‘Snow’ written by Hiawyn Oram and taken from Above & Beyond’s new children’s anthology, Don’t Be Scared, which is raising funds for Bristol Royal Hospital for Children.
Above & Beyond organiser and community fundraising officer Amy Barnard-Smith said it had been a truly spectacular evening filled with fantastic festive performances and moving personal stories from our dedicated fundraisers, volunteers and hospital staff.
“The money raised from this event will make a huge difference to so many people who walk through the hospitals’ doors and a massive thank you is in order to all those who read, performed, attended and donated.”
Above & Beyond’s Christmas Star Concert will be back next year at Bristol Cathedral on Thursday December 14.
The charity fundraises to create welcoming hospital environments, fund innovative research and provide world-class facilities, support staff training and development and purchase state-of-the-art equipment.
Each year, it raises around £3m in projects that make a real difference to patient care and hospital experience.
