Christmas Carols on the River
It is that time of year again, when the smells of cinnamon and star anis are adorning kitchens nationwide and coloured lights are twinkling through the windows. The Christmas period is synonymous with love, joy and giving.
For many people this year, Christmas is going to be a hard one. The cost of living crisis has forced people to make difficult decisions that nobody should ever have to make. It is more important than ever to support those who are in need.
For the fourth year in a row, we are delighted to welcome back the choir from St John the Evangelist. In collaboration with Let’s Go Punting and with the help from our wonderful customers, our Christmas Carols on the River gives us the opportunity to give back to those in need in the local community.
Each year 100% of our ticket sales are donated to charity; this year we have chosen to support Cambridge Aid.
“Cambridge was named the most unequal city in the UK in 2018 by the Centre for Cities Think Tank. The difference in life expectancy between Cambridge’s richest and poorest areas is about then years” (Cambridge Aid)
“In 2021, we gave 979 grants, totalling £141,000, and our overheads were under 1% of grants. As of October 2022, we are giving grants at a rate 16% higher than in 2021. As the UK is now projected to enter recession from the fourth quarter of 2022 by the Bank of England, we need to actively raise funds to continue to support the growing demand from the people in crisis in Cambridge and the surrounding areas.” (Cambridge Aid)
Cambridge Aid provides rapid practical grants for local people in crisis, on average it takes them three days from receiving an application to giving out a grant. This ensures that local people can access the essentials they need quickly.
Cambridge Aid work with over 40 local charities including;
Winter Comfort for the Homeless.
An information, advice, training and support centre for those who are homeless or vulnerably housed.
Cambridgeshire Local Assistance Scheme
A help and advice service based around financial support. They give advice on debts, making money go further and how to move on from a difficult situation.
A community-based charity that provides support and housing for rough sleepers.
A not so silent night
The choir of St John the Evangelist Church sang everyone’s favourite Christmas Carols, including Good Kings Wenceslas and Silent Night, all whilst gliding along the River Cam.
Although it was very cold, everybody was in high spirits and really feeling the festive atmosphere. Even some little paw friends enjoyed the carols.
Magdalene Bridge and Garrett Hostel Bridge were adorned with passersby stopping to listen to the choir. Not only was the festive spirit felt on our punts it was also felt all around the River Cam.
Martin Bond from A Cambridge Diary stood on Kitchen Bridge and took some stunning photographs of the boat procession, one of which ended up on The Times online.
This year we raised £830 for Cambridge Aid. Additionally, we donated £150 to St John the Evangelist’s Choir, which was then passed on to Winter Comfort for the Homeless.
You can watch our video below.
Posted on December 13th, 2022, by the Traditional Punting Company Editor
