Rossendale Save The Children’s annual ‘Christmas Cracker’ Carol Concert raised over £800 for the charity this year at a packed St Veronica’s Parish Hall in Helmshore. SCF branch treasurer Mollie Lancaster said “We had a smashing evening, with music from around 40 children from Crawshawbooth Primary School choir, and Rossendale Valley Sounds band. Both groups gave their time free of charge, and with donations of refreshments and raffle prizes every penny we raised was profit for branch funds.”

The Rossendale branch has sent just over £6,000 to SCF headquarters so far this year to help the charity with its work in over 120 countries, including the UK. Mrs Lancaster said “The crises in Yemen and Syria are in the news at the moment, but SCF’s work continues year-round, and so Rossendale branch raise funds all year with different events. Our Christmas Cracker concert is always a really enjoyable evening and we appreciate the school and band giving their time and talents for such a worthwhile cause, and of course the audience members for coming along and joining in so enthusiastically.”