Zoe’s Place to join LIPA students for Christmas Concert
Wednesday 20 November 2024
Liverpool Institute for Performing Art’s (LIPA) Christmas Concert at the Philharmonic Hall on 7 December will be raising funds for Zoe’s Place.
The LIPA Christmas Concert, now in its 21st year, is the institute’s most popular public performance. Featuring the LIPA Big Band and strings, choir and dancers, it’s a great opportunity to enjoy the next generation of performers’ take on traditional festive favourites. Tickets for the family-friendly concert are selling fast, with last year’s capacity audience of 1,500 people expected to be matched.
Zoe’s Place helps children aged under six with chronic or life-limiting conditions. Gina Earnshaw is the charity’s Senior Corporate & Major Donor Fundraiser. She says: “It’s the first time that Zoe’s Place has been involved with LIPA and I think it will be something really special. The most incredible thing is the sheer number of people that will be in attendance, which will help us spread awareness of Zoe’s Place.
“I’m really excited about working with the students and I hope that those who work on the concert will visit the hospice and see what the money is going towards.”
Programmes for the concert will be free with the audience encouraged to make a donation instead. Volunteers from the Liverpool-based charity will also be on hand to collect donations.
Zoe’s Place is an essential lifeline for Merseyside and surrounding boroughs. Its Liverpool hospice is one of three in the UK. Gina says the money raised will help the charity to continue to operate. “The running costs of Zoe’s Place are £1.8m a year, just for the Liverpool Hospice, which provides help for over 50 children and their families.
“Each child will have a health professional who provides one-to-one care. We also try to take care of the whole family. We provide counselling, holistic care therapy and bereavement help for those who unfortunately need it.”
Earlier this month Zoe’s Place announced it had successfully raised £5m to save its Liverpool hospice. The money was raised in just 30 days with the threat of closure galvanising people and businesses across Merseyside. Gina described the response as overwhelming.
“I’ve used that word a lot in the last 30 days, but it’s the only word you can use when the city comes together to help. It’s been inspiring to see what people are doing and fills me with pride to be from Liverpool.”
Martin Isherwood is Director of the School of Music at LIPA. He says: “The LIPA Christmas Concert is a real extravaganza that, over the last 21 years, has become a regular feature of many people's annual celebrations. To be among 1,500 people enjoying classic Christmas songs and carols is a joyous experience and I’m so glad Zoe’s Place are to be part of it.”
The LIPA Christmas Concert is at 7.30pm on Saturday 7 December at the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. Tickets are available from the Philharmonic Box Office with prices ranging from £8 to £26.
