London's St Paul's Church was the scene of festive glamour and philanthropy on Saturday night as a host of celebrities gathered for Save the Children's inaugural carol concert. The star-studded event, aimed at raising crucial funds for the global charity, saw attendees including Myleene Klass, Zawe Ashton, and Tom Hiddleston stepping out in their finest attire.
A Night of Glamour and Generosity
Radio and TV presenter Myleene Klass, 47, made a stunning entrance in a floor-length, sparkly red gown, channelling classic Hollywood elegance. The ambassador for the charity performed during the magical evening, which featured timeless Christmas carols and special readings from best-selling children's author Julia Donaldson.
Actress and playwright Zawe Ashton, 41, looked incredible in a £995 Rebecca Vallance Benette short-sleeved gown. She was accompanied by her fiancé, actor Tom Hiddleston, 44, who cut a dashing figure in a black velvet suit layered over a blue shirt. This marked one of the couple's first public outings since welcoming their second child together, adding a poignant note to the charitable evening.
Raising Funds for a Vital Cause
The festive service was followed by an exclusive VIP reception at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Guests enjoyed DJ sets from Pixie Geldof and DJ Cuppy and participated in a lavish live auction. The night is projected to raise an impressive £70,000 for Save the Children through a combination of sponsorship, ticket sales, pledges, and auction item sales, which close on Monday, December 8.
Auction lots included highly desirable experiences such as a stay on the Rathfinny wine estate, a round of golf at the prestigious Muirfield, and cashmere jumpers from Chinti & Parker. The funds will support the charity's mission to ensure children across the UK and the world have a safe, happy, and healthy childhood.
Celebrity Advocates Speak Out
During the event, the audience heard from Save the Children's CEO, Moazzam Malik, about the organisation's critical work. Several celebrity ambassadors also shared heartfelt reflections on the importance of the cause.
Actress and host for the evening, Ashley Jensen, said: "Having supported Save the Children for over a decade now, it's been an absolute joy to host its first ever carol concert." She added that the generosity shown would enable the charity's life-changing work to continue.
Zawe Ashton spoke movingly about how becoming a parent has deepened her commitment to children's rights. "Having recently given birth to my second child, I've never been more resolute in making sure I use my voice and my platform to stand up and speak up for the most vulnerable in our society," she stated, referencing her recent work learning about the charity's efforts in Gaza and globally.
Myleene Klass, a long-term ambassador, called it a "privilege" to perform. "With so much uncertainty in the world, coming together for a night of music, poetry and literature has been truly inspirational and uplifting," she remarked.
Other notable guests included Bridget Jones author Helen Fielding, who opted for a festive red velvet dress, and Ashley James, who made a style statement in a white tweed co-ord with a feather-trimmed miniskirt. The evening successfully blended celebrity spectacle with profound purpose, setting a hopeful tone for the festive season and beyond.
