Once again the talented children from Leicester and Leicestershire’s Catholic schools performed brilliantly to help raise some of the money Menphys needs to provide its services to the children with disabilities and their families.

The De Montfort Hall was very nearly full for the concert given by children from 21 participating schools. Early indications are that the total raised by the evening will be about £3,500.

Months of rehearsals paid off as the children enchanted their audience with performances of seasonal songs and carols.

The participating schools were:

Bishop Ellis PS, Thurmaston

Christ The King PS, Leicester

De Lisle Catholic Science College, Loughborough

English Martyrs Catholic School, Leicester

Holy Cross PS, Leicester

Ratcliffe College, Leicester

St Charles’ PS, Measham

St Clare’s PS, Coalville

St Francis’ PS, Melton Mowbray

Sacred Heart PS, Leicester

Sacred Heart PS, Loughborough

St John Fisher PS, Wigston

St Joseph’s PS, Market Harborough

St Martin’s High School, Stoke Golding

St Mary’s PS, Leicester

St Patrick’s PS, Leicester

St Paul’s Catholic School, Leicester

St Peter’s PS, Earl Shilton

St Peter’s PS, Hinckley

St Thomas More PS, Leicester

St Winefride’s PS, Shepshed

On stage all evening were members of the English Martyrs Comprehensive School Senior Orchestra, whose contribution must not be overlooked.

Of course, it is not only the children who deserve thanks from the Menphys family.

A view of the massed choirs from the balcony of the De Montfort Hall

If you have photos of the event, please e-mail them to David.Peake@menphys.org.uk

The preparations for the concert on December 2 started many months earlier. Trustee Ian Knight worked in conjunction with the conductor and chairman of the carol concert committee Chris Lowe, accompanist Richard Archer and stage manager Kate Hayles to make sure everything went well.

And adding the gloss with their polished introductions were Brian Kennedy and Lindsay Grimes.

As always, the final song — Let There Be Peace on Earth — sent people home with a smile on their face and a lump in their throat. If you don’t know it, click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv7RXrkiGtk&feature=fvwrel

On behalf of the families they have helped, the Trustees of Menphys thank everyone — on stage and in the audience — who contributed and wish everyone a very joyful Christmas and a new year of peace.