Thank you to everyone who joined us for the CrossReach Christmas Carol Concert at P's & G's Church Edinburgh on December 5th 2025.
It was a truly special evening, filled with beautiful music, festive joy, inspiring stories and a wonderful sense of community. Seeing so many people come together to celebrate the Christmas season and support the work of CrossReach made the night incredibly meaningful. From the carols and artwork to the generosity shown throughout the evening, it was a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we come together. We are deeply grateful to everyone who attended, supported and helped make the concert such a success - and we already look forward to welcoming you again next year.
From the moment guests arrived, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming. The church was filled with beautiful carols, thoughtful reflections and a strong sense of togetherness, as people from across Edinburgh and beyond gathered to mark the season of hope and light. Alongside the music, guests enjoyed the Heart for Art exhibition, a festive raffle, and the chance to connect with others over shared celebration and purpose.
Very Rev. Dr Shaw Paterson
We are very grateful to Very Rev. Dr Shaw Paterson, previous moderator of the Church of Scotland, who so generously hosted the evening. With warmth, clarity and thoughtful guidance, Shaw led us through the programme, helping the night flow beautifully with witty interludes and speaker introductions, creating a welcoming atmosphere for all who attended. His hosting brought moments of reflection and connection that helped make the concert such a meaningful and memorable celebration.
A special thank you to our performers and speakers
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of the performers and speakers who so generously gave their time and talents to make the evening so memorable. Their contributions brought depth, joy and meaning to the concert, and helped create an experience that moved and inspired everyone present. We are incredibly grateful for the care, commitment and creativity they shared with us.
Castle Chorus
We were delighted to welcome Castle Chorus back to the CrossReach Christmas Carol Concert, having previously performed with us in 2023. Their powerful and moving set included 'The Boar’s Head Carol', 'Up in the Morning Early' and 'Good King Wenceslas', alongside 'Waverley Bridges' - an original piece written in collaboration with Edinburgh-based songwriter Tom Watton. Inspired by the ongoing homelessness and suicide crisis in a city marked by both wealth and inequality, 'Waverley Bridges' offered a poignant and thought-provoking moment within the evening, reminding us of the deeper social realities that CrossReach seeks to address through its work.
Threshold Glasgow Makaton Choir
Firm favourites with our audiences, the Makaton Choir were unfortunately unable to perform live due to unforeseen circumstances in the days leading up to the concert. However, they went above and beyond to ensure they were still part of the evening by recording an exclusive performance especially for the CrossReach Christmas Carol Concert. Their joyful renditions of 'O Come, All Ye Faithful', 'Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer' and 'White Christmas' were shown on the night and warmly received, with the audience singing along in true festive spirit. We are incredibly grateful to the choir for their commitment, generosity and the joy they brought to the evening and it was a great reminder of the incredible talent and resilience we have in our services.
The Rolling Hills Chorus
We were delighted to be joined by The Rolling Hills Chorus, who generously made time in their busy December schedule carolling around the city raising vital funds for Prostate Cancer UK, to perform at our carol concert. The choir brought warmth and festive energy to the evening with performances of 'It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year', 'Keeping the Dream Alive', 'O Holy Night' and 'Deck the Halls'. Their joyful harmonies and commitment to supporting good causes helped create truly uplifting moments in the concert, and we are very grateful for their contribution.
Julie - Speaker for Adult Care Services
We are deeply grateful to Julie, from our Cunningham House service, who courageously shared her personal story with honesty, dignity and hope. Julie spoke about the complex and often unseen journey into homelessness, shaped by bereavement, mental health and circumstances beyond her control, and the reality of sleeping rough while unwell and unsupported. She reflected on how finding stability, care and 24-hour support at Cunningham House has given her a safe base from which to begin rebuilding her life; reconnecting with family, volunteering in her community and working towards restoring relationships that matter most to her. Julie’s powerful testimony reminded us why compassionate, person-centred services like CrossReach are so vital.
Darren - Speaker for Children & Family Services
Darren, who grew up in one of CrossReach’s looked-after children’s homes and later accessed our counselling services, shared his personal journey through his story and original poetry. He spoke candidly about growing up in care, the trauma he experienced, and the struggles with addiction, mental health, and suicidal thoughts that followed. Darren reflected on how therapy and support from CrossReach gave him the tools and safe space to begin rebuilding his life. Through his poetry, he turned his experiences into a powerful message of hope, resilience, and healing, inspiring others and adding profound depth to the evening. His testimony was a moving reminder of the transformative impact of compassion, listening, and creative expression.
Christine & Peter - Speakers for Older People Services
A heartfelt thank you to Peter and Christine, whose life story and enduring love were shared in a moving video recorded on Monday 17th November. Christine, a resident at The Elms dementia specialist care home, and Peter reflected on their life together and the support CrossReach provided, ensuring Christine received compassionate, dignified care. Christine’s condition began to deteriorate in early December, and she passed away peacefully on Tuesday 9th December with most of her family around her. Her funeral on 23rd December was a joyful celebration of her life, faith and witness.
Peter expressed deep gratitude for the extraordinary care Christine and the family received, noting the dignity, respect, and love shown by The Elms staff- even in their final moments with her. Following Christine’s passing, Peter has since returned to The Elms to lead Daily Devotions and plans to continue supporting the home in a volunteer capacity. The video offered a touching and inspiring glimpse into their relationship and the profound difference compassionate care can make.
This event would not have been possible without the generosity of those who purchased tickets, donated, and supported the concert in so many ways. Every contribution made on the night helps CrossReach continue providing vital care and support to people of all ages across Scotland. We are also deeply thankful to the volunteers and colleagues who worked behind the scenes to prepare for the event and ensure everything ran smoothly on the night.
Thank you once again to everyone who played a part in making the CrossReach Christmas Carol Concert 2025 such a success. We hope the evening brought you joy, and we very much look forward to welcoming you again next year.
