Community Champions Recognized at Special Carol Service

A mother, who provides support to families following the loss of her own child to sepsis, described her attendance at a special carol service for individuals dedicated to their communities as an “absolute joy.” Sarah Day was among 260 guests from various parts of the county, extended an invitation by the King’s representative in Staffordshire. Every person present received a letter from Catherine, Princess of Wales, expressing gratitude for the empathy they have demonstrated towards others within their communities. Rachael Olley, a worker for a child cancer charity, commented, “It’s lovely to know the church is full of people who are deserving,” adding, “everyone has a story, don’t they?” The event, named Together At Christmas, took place at St Mary the Virgin Parish Church in Uttoxeter on Friday and showcased musical performances by a collective of six local choirs. This service constituted one of 15 regional gatherings held throughout the UK, drawing inspiration from the princess’s Westminster Abbey service. Individuals such as Sarah Day received invitations from the Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire in recognition of the love, kindness, and empathy they have exhibited. Sarah Day, a resident of Werrington, experienced the loss of her son Dylan due to sepsis and has subsequently offered support to families confronting this severe medical condition. She stated, “It’s emotional, but I feel so privileged and honoured when someone trusts me with their feelings.” She added, “I just don’t want anyone to feel alone.” Paul Stubbs participates in numerous charitable organizations in the Stafford and Stone areas, dedicating a significant portion of his time to gathering excess food from supermarkets for distribution to food banks. He remarked, “Sometimes when you’re doing work for charity you can feel like you’re doing it and no one notices or recognises it.” He continued, “But when you come to a service like this – to bring people together – you feel like you’ve been recognised.” He concluded, “What better way to do that than a carol service at Christmas?” This content is copyrighted by the BBC in 2024, with all rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the material found on external websites. Information regarding its approach to external linking is available.