The Story of Christmas’s first event took place at lunchtime on 19 December 1978 and raised some £4,000 – around £23,000 in today’s money – for Shelter and The Evening News Toys for Sick Children Appeal. It was founded by the partners of PROPIS (Julian Glasgow, John Osborne and Robert Spooner MBE) as a Christmas celebration. Edward Fox, Felicity Kendal, Lord Harlech, Simon MacCorkindale, Frank Finlay and other popular faces from public life read at the service. The Duke of Westminster, Asprey, Citibank, Debenhams, Greycoat Estates, Hammerson, Knight Frank & Rutley, Liberty & Co., London & Manchester Securities, Marks & Spencer, MEPC, Slough Estates (now SEGRO), Strutt & Parker, and Wells Fargo were among the many supporters.
A second event in 1979 took place in the evening and raised £11,000 for the same pair of charities. By then His Grace The Duke of Westminster had become Patron and Gerald Powell, Director of Haslemere Estates, Chairman of the Organising Committee. Readers included Penelope Keith, Felicity Lott, Barbara Cartland and Edward Fox, returning once again.
In 1980 a fundraising target of £20,000 was set, which was achieved by July of that year, three weeks after the charitable appeal had launched. Their Royal Highnesses The Prince & Princess Michael of Kent were present. This was also the first year of Dame Judi Dench’s involvement, beginning a very close association that continues to this day.
The event has always taken place at St George’s Hanover Square, in the commercial heart of Mayfair – a part of London traditionally associated with the property industry. Its format has always been that of service of Nine Lessons and Carols, with the readings delivered by celebrated names from worlds of stage and screen. Magnificent music has always been performed by renowned choirs, military bands and soloists.
By 1983 over £100,000 was raised and a revitalised champagne reception began to follow the service. This was organised by a firm of PR consultants, the partners of which were Sara Turnbull and Tessa Kilgour. Both ladies continued to support the event in a variety of ways over the years. From 2009 to 2017 Sara assisted on a day-to-day basis with administration, but sadly died in 2020. Tessa remains closely involved. By the late 1980’s, at the suggestion of Allsop (one of The Story of Christmas’s many longstanding supporters) a live Charity Auction featured at the reception. The Silent Auction has been added to this since 2013. Fundraising has always focused upon the sponsorship of pages in a souvenir brochure, produced each year.
Leading figures in the property and construction industries quickly surrounded The Story of Christmas and offered to donate. Those wishing to become closely involved and champion support became known as “Vice Presidents” – today there are many modern property leaders supporting in that capacity. Over the years, contributions strengthened tremendously and millions of pounds were raised. In-keeping with the original pair of charities, a focus on homelessness and children has been maintained. Gradually a charitable remit emerged with a preference for capital projects. This is still very much the focus now.
The Story of Christmas has taken place in the presence of several members of the Royal Family (including The Duchess of Cornwall, Diana Princess of Wales, The Duchess of York, The Princess Royal, Princess Margaret, The Duke & Duchess of Gloucester and The Prince and Princess Michael of Kent) and several British Prime Ministers (including Sir Edward Heath, Baroness Thatcher and Sir John Major). A great many celebrated names have read or performed at the service. Numerous leading property and construction companies have supported on a regular basis – and support now has branched out into other sectors, including finance and law among others.
In 2007, The Story of Christmas was left a legacy by a generous and long-established donor, the late Mrs Lilian Sutton. The Story of Christmas (Lilian Sutton Bequest) Trust was established to manage this fund, which continued to make substantial contributions each year for fifteen subsequent years.
For several decades, the overall organisation of The Story of Christmas was masterminded by Robert Spooner, who was awarded an MBE by the Queen in 2003 for his unstinting efforts. Robert was taken ill in 2009 and later died. The musician Marc Corbett-Weaver (who had been involved with the event since 2004 when he first appeared as a performer) dived in at a late stage that year to produce the event. Since then Marc has coordinated the organisation of The Story of Christmas each year, working closely with its many Vice Presidents and Trustees. In 2011, The Story of Christmas became a registered charity.
After the carol service a champagne reception and charity auction takes place. Over the years various venues were used, including the nearby Sotheby’s Auction House and Claridge’s Hotel. From 2004 Christie’s was used each year, until 2012 when the reception moved to The Dorchester which offered a very large space. In 2019, the reception took place at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park Hotel for five happy occasions, and moved again to the Sheraton Grand London Park Lane Hotel on Piccadilly in 2024 – a venue with a close relationship to the charity and some of its longstanding supporters.
A launch reception announcing major sponsors and the selected charitable projects often takes place in the Spring. Recently this has taken place at Bonhams on New Bond Street, the Sheraton Grand Park Lane Hotel, McKinsey and PWC. Smaller events for major sponsors and site visits to The Story of Christmas’s charitable projects are organised during the year.
In 2017, to celebrate 40 years of The Story of Christmas Dame Judi Dench became Life President and Ian Hislop President. That year, it was hoped that over £500,000 would be raised for the first time. In fact the 2017 event ended up raising £696,000. In 2018, £631,000 was raised and £671,000 in 2019.
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world. The Story of Christmas was forced to move its event online by creating a video of the event released via YouTube on the night. A special hamper was produced with wonderful donations from sponsors to bring the magic of The Story of Christmas to everyone at home. In a year where many charity events had to be completely cancelled and the economy suffered terribly, over £417,000 was raised.
In 2021, life nearly returned to normal until the Omicron Variant arrived around two weeks prior to The Story of Christmas. The event was impacted once again, but over £650,000 was raised. Masks were worn at the carol service and guests tested for COVID before attending.
2022 broke all records following the launch of some new initiatives – including the new Ambassadors Programme – achieving a grand total of £820,000. The Ambassadors Programme continued in 2023 when £875,000 was raised, again breaking records.
In 2024, The Story of Christmas’s 47th event raised over £1 million.
