Cargill are proud of the established relationship that we have with Henshaws and are honoured to be able to sponsor the annual “Carols by Candlelight” concert held in this wonderful setting of Manchester Cathedral.
May we take this opportunity to wish everyone a merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Sponsors
JULIAN NIMAN CHARITABLE TRUST
On behalf of everyone at welcome to Carols by Candlelight.
We look forward to this event every year as it captures the very essence of our organisation which is about celebrating the achievements of blind, visually impaired, and disabled people.
We hope you’ll enjoy tonight’s performances, join in with the carols, leave with a warm glow, and a smile on your face. If you take part in our raffle, you might also go home with a great prize, or your Christmas presents sorted. It costs £5 for a strip of 5 tickets, and you can buy as many strips as you like.
Thanks to the support of our sponsors, all the funds from our raffle ticket and refreshment sales will go directly towards our work in the community, so please be as generous as you can be, as your kindness will have a positive impact on the lives of those we help. To find out more about our services, how to access them, and the impact they have, turn to pages ‘6 - 7’.
For now, have a lovely evening, and from the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much for supporting Henshaws.
Stephen Tongue, Director of Fundraising
Please note that there will be internal and external recording and photography happening throughout the evening which may be used for future marketing purposes. If anyone does not want to be filmed or photographed, please make yourself known to a member of the Henshaws team. Thank You.
Welcome
Stephen Tongue - Director of Fundraising
Introduction
Dave Steele - The Blind Poet
Deck the Halls All Sing
Henshaws Children’s Choir
We Three Kings All Sing
Welcome Back
Svitoch Ukrainian Choir
Denise Leigh and Stefan Andrusyschyn
O Come All Ye Faithful All Sing
Ding Dong Merrily On High All Sing
Cash, or Card Payments (preferred)
Cash or Card Payments (preferred)
An amazing raffle selection, including:
Superior King Room Bed & Breakfast at The Midland Manchester
Afternoon Tea for 2 at Australasia, Spinningfields
Seasons Greetings Food Hamper
Seasons Greetings Pamper Hamper
Majestic Wine, bottle of fizz
All money raised from the sale of raffle tickets and refreshments will support Henshaws work in the local community.
Supporting people with sight loss and a range of other disabilities to go beyond expectations.
Our adult services support individuals living with sight loss to live more independently and socialise with others with shared experiences.
Adult services include our early intervention services, advice, guidance, counselling and support with inclusive technology and digital services
Our Children and young people service supports people from birth to 18 years if they have sight loss, and birth to 25 years if they have additional disabilities. The service provides opportunities for children and young people to develop their independence skills through the ‘I Can Do It’ residential programme, social activities and opportunities for the whole family. The service also offers information, advice and guidance on a one-to-one basis, and can signpost or refer families to other organisations if needs be.
Find out more: WE
Call us on 0300 222 5555 to find out how you can get involved with henshaws or visit our website for more information about the services we offer: www.henshaws.org.uk
Dave Steele is an award-winning poet, author, public speaker, and advocate for the blind.
Diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) 10 years ago, this genetic eye condition left Dave severely sight impaired. Dave was a Henshaws ambassador for many years before being made a Patron in 2023. He has just released a new book, ‘The Big Test’ the first part of the Austin’s Amazing Adventures series, aimed at children aged 5 to 10. You’ll find the book on sale tonight - it would make the perfect Christmas stocking filler. Dave is a veteran of numerous Carols by Candlelight events, and we’re delighted, and grateful to have him back to compere this evening’s event.
Henshaws Children’s Choir are full of energy and enthusiasm, and are guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Together they will perform a medley of Christmas favourites.
Svitoch, formed as the UK emerged from the pandemic. The choir brings together talented singers from the Ukrainian diaspora in the UK and refugees who have escaped the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The choir’s members include conservatoiretrained and seasoned performers, some of whom have previously sung in prestigious venues across Europe and America, including Carnegie Hall and Albert Hall.
Opera singer Denise Leigh and her husband, English champion accordionist Stefan Andrusyschyn, are Internationally acclaimed performers and Henshaws Ambassadors. We couldn’t imagine our carol concert without them. If you don’t recognise them from Carols by Candleight, you may recognise them from Britain’s Got Talent where they received a standing ovation from the audience, and brought the judges to tears. We’re delighted to welcome them back and we’re incredibly grateful for their continued support to our charity.
Deck the hall with boughs of holly, Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
‘Tis the season to be jolly, Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Fill the mead cup, drain the barrel, Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Troul the ancient Christmas carol, Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
See the flowing bowl before us, Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Strike the harp and join the chorus. Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Follow me in merry measure, Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
While I sing of beauty’s treasure, Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Fast away the old year passes, Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses!
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Laughing, quaffing all together, Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Heedless of the wind and weather, Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!
Tickets from £125
MARCH 15, 2025 6:30PM - 1AM
Join us for 2025’s premier charity event! Hosted by Mike and Eddie, with over 30 years of experience, this Gala Ball promises a night of elegance, entertainment, and impact—supporting four vital charities helping children and families across the North West.
Henshaws Society for Blind People | Destination Florida Children’s Adventure Farm Trust | Derian House Children’s Hospice
Dazzling lineup of performers: Amy Lou (BGT 2023 finalist) | Tom Ball (BGT 2022 runner-up) The Barricade Boys (West End stars) | Jon Fisher (Gary Barlow tribute)
Bring your friends, family, and business contacts for a memorable night of giving back. Sponsorship packages are available, offering unique promotional opportunities for businesses wishing to make a difference.
Table Packages:
For tickets, table packages, or sponsorship information, contact: fundraising@henshaws.org.uk
We three kings of Orient are; Bearing gifts, we traverse afar Field and fountain, moor and mountain, Following yonder star.
O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright, Westward leading still proceeding, Guide us to Thy perfect light.
Born a King on Bethlehem's plain, Gold I bring, to crown Him again, King forever, ceasing never Over us all to reign.
Frankincense to offer have I, Incense owns a Deity nigh. Prayer and praising all men raising, Worship Him, God most high.
Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume Breathes a life of gathering gloom; Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.
Glorious now behold Him arise, King and God and Sacrifice, Alleluia, Alleluia, Earth to the heav'ns replies.
'O
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant!
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem; Come and behold him
Born the King of Angels:
O come, let us adore Him, (3×)
Christ the Lord.
God of God, light of light, Lo, he abhors not the Virgin's womb; Very God, begotten, not created: O come, let us adore Him, (3×)
Christ the Lord.
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation, Sing, all ye citizens of Heaven above!
Glory to God, glory in the highest: O come, let us adore Him, (3×)
Christ the Lord.
Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this Christmas morning; Jesu, to thee be glory given!
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing! O come, let us adore Him, (3×)
Christ the Lord.
Every Saturday six numbers are selected at random, if you're a winner then your cheque will be posted directly to you
5 FREE ENTRIES
Ding dong, merrily on high!
In heav’n the bells are ringing; ding dong, verily the sky is riv’n with angel singing.
Gloria, hosannah in excelsis!
Gloria, hosannah in excelsis!
E'en so here below, let steeple bells be swungen, And io, io, io, by priest and people sungen.
Gloria, hosannah in excelsis!
Gloria, hosannah in excelsis!
Pray ye dutifully prime your matin chime, ye ringers; may ye beautifully rhyme your evetime song, ye singers.
Gloria, hosannah in excelsis!
Gloria, hosannah in excelsis!
This Christmas, help visually impaired young people experience a year filled with adventure and discovery!
Could give a young person the thrill of a kayaking trip, letting them feel the excitement and confidence of taking to the water for the very first time!
Could help a young person feel the joy of riding a bike for the first time—an empowering experience they’ll never forget!
Could support a young person’s first night away from home on a Henshaws Residential Trip. They’ll build confidence, make lifelong friends, and embrace new challenges in a warm, supportive environment.
TO OUR SPONSORS, DONORS AND VOLUNTEERS FOR MAKING THIS EVENT HAPPEN.
SPONSORS
Main Sponsor
PERFORMERS
Dave Steele
Denise Leigh & Stefan Andrusyschyn
Henshaws Children & Young People Choir
Svitoch Choir
Manchester Cathedral
RAFFLE DONORS
Midland Hotel
Australasia
Majestic Wine, Sale
Beever & Struthers Hamper
VOLUNTEERS
Behrens Group
Beever & Struthers
Sellick Partnership
Cargill
Thank you to everyone who bought a ticket to this year’s event. Your support enables Henshaws to work with blind, visually impaired, and disabled people throughout the year. It helps people to develop independent living skills, become more confident, and live happy and healthy lives.
There are different ways you can be referred to Henshaws, you can self-refer by filling in our online form, or contact us by phone or email. You may also be referred or signposted by another organisation or service: for example, our Certificate of Vision Impairment (CVI) team can make referrals to Henshaws, as well as other organisations including the RNIB, your local sensory team (including your Qualified Teacher of the Visually Impaired if you are a child or young person), and other charities. You can visit our website henshaws.org.uk for more information, or you can call us.
Our services would not exist without the kindness of our supporters. If you’d like to make a donation to Henshaws, please visit our website or call us on 0300 222 5555. You can also e-mail the team at fundraising@henshaws.org.uk
Please visit our website for information about our upcoming events, and if you would like to know more about leaving a gift in your will, please contact Stephen Tongue by calling 07872 899 996 or by emailing stephen.tongue@henshaws.org.uk
