THIS year’s Christmas Star Appeal starts today – with the district’s Lord Mayor dedicating the first star to his parents.
Each year, people can dedicate gold stars in memory of family or friends which are then placed on the Christmas tree at City Hall in Bradford.
This year is the 20th year of the appeal, which is organised in partnership with the Telegraph & Argus.
The Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Gerry Barker, launched this year's appeal by dedicating a tribute to his parents, Edwin William Granville Barker and Eunice Shillito Barker.
He said he thinks about his parents all time especially at Christmas time.
The annual Christmas Star event is always one of the most poignant dates in the civic calendar and has come to mean a great deal to residents of the district.
This year’s event will be held at the Banqueting Suite at City Hall from 5pm on Wednesday, December 6, 2023.
Guests are invited to have tea or coffee and a mince pie with The Lord Mayor and to see their Christmas Star on the City Hall Christmas Tree.
The annual event sees around 200 tributes dedicated to late family and friends during December which form an important part of the festive appeal.
On the evening, the Lord Mayor will give thanks to the T&A for helping to organise the Star Appeal for the 20th Year, Smart Printing Company who have provided the Stars for free and also the invitations, The Fairfax Singers for the musical entertainment, The Co-operative for the Mince Pies, tea, coffee and juice, and the LMAC Committee members/Noel Waterhouse and the Sea Cadets.
The stars are £5 each to buy and all the money raised is donated to the Lord Mayor’s Appeal, which is supporting one of the oldest children’s charities in Bradford – the 'Bradford Cinderella Club'.
The charity provides important life experiences ranging from theatre visits to trips to the seaside to some of the area’s most deprived children.
The role of Lord Mayor is a ceremonial one, and during their one year term the mayor is the district’s official representative at Civic events – and on any day they could be involved in anything from visiting a care home for a 100th birthday to welcoming royalty.
People can nominate the person of their choice as a Christmas Star for this year’s appeal by filling out the form provided. The closing date for nominations is Monday, December 4, 2023.
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