Soprano Laura Wright wows sell-out crowd at Ely Cathedral’s charity concert in aid of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices

A sell-out crowd of 1,100 enjoyed a series of performances by Laura Wright at A Festival of Carols in Ely Cathedral on Friday.

Laura Wright with accompanist Edmund Aldhouse, assistant organist, doing sound checks and rehearsing for this evening's concert - Credit: Archant

Money raised from the concert will go towards East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices and Ely Cathedral.

The Suffolk soprano - best known as the official anthem singer for the England rugby team - performed Christmas favourites including ‘Hallelujah’ and ‘O Holy Night’.

She then joined the cathedral choristers and gentlemen of Ely Cathedral Choir and The Ely Imps for a rendition of ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’.

There were also readings and poems by BBC Radio Cambridgeshire’s Jeremy Sallis and county High Sheriff Sir David Arculus as well as Claire Wright, a bereaved parent who told how East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices had supported her family.

Laura Wrigth performed at Ely Cathedral - Credit: Archant

It was the sixth staging of the bi-annual concert, which is organised by the Cambridgeshire Freemasons.

Bill Dastur, one of the organisers, said: “We were delighted to see the cathedral sold out and to experience a great concert with a stunning performance from Laura Wright, all in aid of EACH and the cathedral who should share around £25,000.”