Taggart and River City actor Colin McCredie has launched this year's Cancer Research UK Christmas concert
A Scots actor is looking forward to an annual charity Christmas concert.
Taggart star Colin McCredie has teamed up with one of Scotland's bravest children to launch this year's Christmas carol concert for Cancer Research UK.
Tickets are on sale now for the festive event, which takes place at Glasgow Cathedral on Thursday, 7 December.
Colin was joined at the event launch by 11-year-old Neve McDonnell. Neve, of Glasgow, who endured heart surgery in February this year, is a recipient of a Cancer Research UK Kids and Teens star award in recognition of her courage shown during treatment for leukaemia.
The actor, who will do a reading at this year's concert, has first-hand experience of watching a loved one fight cancer. His brother, Flight Lieutenant Ken McCredie, served an outstanding 35-year career with the Royal Air Force but died on June 25 2014 aged just 54 after a battle with bowel cancer.
Now he is determined to help bring forward the day when all cancers are cured. He said: "Cancer touches so many families.
"My brother had completed 11,378 flying hours when he died. There is a tree and plaque in his memory at RAF Brize Norton where he was based. There were many things he still wanted to do and he is missed so much by all the family. We lost my mum to cancer too so I know the impact this disease can have.”
BBC Scotland presenter Jackie Bird will host the concert which will also feature a reading by Janice Forsyth. Pianist Ancuta Nite, musician Suzie Falconer and folk singer Arthur Johnstone are all set to perform. The junior performance choir from Erskine Stewart's Melville School, Edinburgh, and the senior choir from the High School are also taking part.
Neve’s mum Nicola said: "Last Christmas we weren't in such a good place as a family as we'd just received the news that Neve needed more heart surgery.
"I'm so proud of Neve and how her smile and resilience has actually helped pull us through some of the tougher times. We're looking forward to a really special time this Christmas."
Organised by a dedicated committee of volunteers, the Glasgow Christmas Carol Concert has raised more than £380,000 for Cancer Research UK since it first started in 1999. The event takes place on Thursday, 7 December at 6.15pm. Tickets are available online and cost £40 each or £100 for a family ticket (two adults and two children).
