Aled has described Hope House and Ty Gobaith Hospices as the most incredible places. The two Hospices provide respite, palliative care and nursing for children with terminal illnesses at Hope House in Oswestry and Ty Gobaith in Conwy, North Wales. They also offer support in the family home by the Community Care Team. Bereavement support and counselling is also available to all family members for as long as is necessary. No charges are made to families and the charity receives a limited amount of statutory funding. Annual running costs are £4 million but the amount received from the Department of Health funds their work for only one month per year which means they continue to rely on the generosity of the general public for the majority of their income.

When asked to help found Aled’s Friends of Hope House on 5th March 2006, I had no idea that it would prove to be one of the most rewarding ventures I have ever been involved with. The group was formed from a nucleus of Aled’s fans following his appointment as Patron of Hope House Children’s Hospices in October 2005. It seemed appropriate that as the group had originally come together through Aled’s music, it would be fitting to raise money to give music to the children in the form of music therapy sessions.

AFHH (Aled’s Friends of Hope House) has raised an incredible £30,000 to date. Aled’s Friends members are scattered across the UK so fundraise individually for the most part – some are far removed from Conwy and Oswestry – even as far as Australia where we currently have 3 members!
The children of both Hospices benefit directly from what Aled’s Friends does. Music therapy brings them joy, laughter and an opportunity to express themselves. They can bang a drum, listen to soothing guitar music with their therapist, and make their own music with a xylophone. For these children life is so short, but knowing that we can help make that short life happier means everything to us.
If you are interested in helping to raise vital money for these children and are willing to commit to raising funds with us, please get in touch at aledsfriends@tesco.net

Wendy Long

Chairman, AFHH

The story of Christmas

The first presentation of the "The Story of Christmas" was held at St George’s, Hanover Square, W1, on 19th December 1978. The original intention of the organisers was to raise a modest sum for charities – particularly those dealing with homelessness and children.

Over the past 32 years, the event has grown and now raises £150,000/£200,000 each year. Last year the appeal "topped" £200,000 for the first time. In the past 32 years the associated appeal has raised over £2.7 million. More than 85% of the net advertising income and donations has been available for the charitable purposes of the appeal. The aim of the Organising Committee is to ensure that the highest possible proportion of the funds raised are available to the charities. To this end, sponsors cover most of the direct costs.

The event at St George’s takes the form of a festival of Nine Lessons with Carols. The readings are given by leading figures from the theatre and from public life. The Choir of Westminster Cathedral and the Band and Fanfare Trumpeters of the Irish Guards provide the music. Following the service at St George’s, which last for just over an hour, there is a champagne reception for the principal guests and supporters.

The objectives of the associated appeal continue to be directed to helping homeless people and disadvantaged children.

Dame Judi Dench is the President and Aled Jones is the Vice President.

More on Aled

Aled became famous as a treble, known for his version of "Walking in the Air", which was originally performed by Peter Auty, for the movie adaptation of The Snowman by Raymond Briggs, a television favourite every Christmas. The song reached as high as number five in the singles chart of 1985. Lately Aled has hosted various television programmes for many channels including BBC and ITV.

Aled has been one of the key presenters of Songs of Praise for over a decade, as well as a presenter of Escape to the Country in 2010 and the light entertainment show Cash in the Attic for three years after that.

In late 2012, Aled went on to ITV Breakfast to host Daybreak, with Lorraine Kelly and Kate Garraway, having taken the place of the hosts Christine Bleakley and Adrian Chiles on the same programme. Jones then left Daybreak in the spring of 2014 to present a new programme for ITV named Weekend from the following day. The programme is broadcast every weekend morning.

He has hosted various programmes on the BBC Radio network, but predominantly for Radio 2 and taken part in the second year of Strictly Come Dancing in 2004, where he was teamed up with professional dancer Lilia Kopylova. He was voted off the show in week number seven, just missing out from claiming the bronze medal.