A choir of children performed Christmas carols for the public in London, but with a sound that silenced shoppers. Whilst their mouths moved in song, their words could not be heard.
Only when they received a monetary donation, did the choir start to sing. The Silent Choir is a new campaign created by The Children’s Society charity, to help raise funds in order to give a voice to the thousands of children across the UK who will live through the most challenging of circumstances this Christmas.
The Silent Choir performed in London’s Piccadilly, outside of the iconic Fortnum & Mason, on one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Amidst the normal festive jollity, choir members held signs displaying powerful statistics around the unheard reality of child well-being, including the overarching message that, for many children across the UK, ‘Christmas is Broken.’
This Christmas, 6,000 children will run away from home, 46,000 children will be at risk of abuse and neglect and almost half a million children worried about their mental health will not speak out.
Mark Russell, Chief Executive of The Children’s Society, said: "Christmas is a time for family, love, light and music. Yet, for so many children around the UK, it is none of these things. It is a reminder of how their lives are so different from those around them, for them, Christmas is broken.
"The Silent Choir is a stark reminder of how many children are currently in need of help and whilst their silence is haunting, to hear how donations can make them sing stands as a poignant reminder of how we can all make the voices of children heard and improve their lives for the better."
The Children’s Society would like to thank their friends at the Pollyanna Theatre who performed as the Silent Choir and Fortnum & Mason for hosting them.
You can find out more at the Children's Society website.
