The annual Sarcoma UK carol concert transformed St Giles-in-the-Fields Church in London into a dazzling showcase of musical talent, bringing together an impressive line-up of performers to support critical cancer research and awareness.
The evening on Tuesday featured an extraordinary mix of musical brilliance, with several notable performers taking the stage. Headlining the event were Liam Tamne, the acclaimed performer from Coventry who rose to public attention through The Voice UK, and Dr Bambang Atmaja, a unique performer who seamlessly bridges the worlds of medicine and music.
Liam, who sang ‘The Christmas Song’, first captured national attention with his memorable audition on The Voice UK, particularly his rendition of Kate Bush’s ‘This Woman’s Work’ – a performance that garnered over a million YouTube views and became one of the most famous auditions in the show’s history. In 2021, Liam reached another career milestone with a Grammy Award nomination for the cast album of The Prince of Egypt.
Dr Atmaja (pictured), who wowed Britain’s Got Talent judges two years ago with a stunning rendition of Beyoncé’s ‘Listen’, performed ‘You Raise Me Up’. Speaking after his performance, he powerfully captured the evening’s spirit, stating: ‘It’s wonderful to have doctors, nurses, patients and their families all in the same room together. Sarcomas are very rare cancers. Because of their rarity, not many people would know about sarcoma, and it’s so important to raise awareness. After Britain’s Got Talent, I received thousands of messages from patients and healthcare professionals saying how uplifting it was. I am very fortunate to be able to offer something aside from a clinical opinion with the singing and music as well.’
The versatile Jonny Weldon, known for his roles in Netflix’s One Day and HBO’s House of the Dragon, added star power to the night with the poem ‘Christmas Truce’. The evening was hosted by Mark Osmond, recognised from Netflix’s The Sandman.
A special highlight was the performance by Classical Reflection, the twin soprano duo Naomi and Hannah Moxon, who have previously sung at prestigious venues including the Royal Albert Hall and Wembley Stadium. Their appearance added a touch of classical elegance to the evening.
The gospel choir Enchorus, known for their work with Sam Smith and X Factor, brought powerful vocal performances that electrified the audience. Brass Coalition, a volunteer ensemble dedicated to charitable causes, also contributed their musical expertise to the night’s proceedings.
Popular West End performer Melissa Jacques ensured the concert’s musical excellence remained uncompromised with Bette Midler’s ‘What are you doing New Year’s Eve’. Another prominent actress, Sandra Dickinson, added humour to the evening with ‘An Elf’s Letter of Resignation’.
A particularly poignant moment came when sarcoma cancer survivor David Lye shared his personal journey with Mark Osmond, showing off his radiotherapy mask, which he has artistically transformed. ‘It’s all about taking something dark and making it beautiful,’ David explained.
Sarcoma UK’s Director of Fundraising and Communications, Kerry Reeves-Kneip, said: ‘Events like tonight demonstrate the incredible power of music and poetry to bring awareness to sarcoma, a rare cancer that affects about 5,300 people in the UK each year. Our research shows that early diagnosis can significantly improve patient outcomes, and fundraising events like the carol concert play a crucial role in not just raising vital funds, but also in educating the public about a cancer many people know very little about. By bringing together such remarkable performers who generously donate their time, we’re able to amplify our message and support both patients and their families during what can be an incredibly challenging journey.’
