Soap star Rita Simons tried her hand at signing last night during a performance from a deaf choir at a fundraising carol concert. The soap star, who has a deaf daughter, attended a British Sign Language interpreted carol service, held by the Mayor of Camden to raise money for charity Action on Hearing Loss (formally RNID).
Rita and her five-year old daughter, Maiya, enjoyed carols from the United Response Deaf Choir, along with a gospel choir from Torriano Infant and Junior schools in Camden. The event was held at St Pancras Parish Church and, along with the rest of the audience, Rita and Maiya were taught how to sign “Walking in a Winter Wonderland”.
Rita says: ‘I attended the concert as I’m a big supporter of Action on Hearing Loss, a charity close to my heart. My young daughter Maiya is deaf and often misses out on things like carols at Christmas, so it’s great the Mayor of Camden and Action on Hearing Loss put on a carol service that everyone can enjoy. Everyone was able to join in, including Maiya, as the carols were sung and signed. It was lovely!’
Since choosing Action on Hearing Loss as his Charity of the Year in May 2011, the Mayor of Camden, Councillor Abdul Quadir, has been working with Action on Hearing Loss to improve the lives of the 1 in 6 people with hearing loss in Camden.
Mayor of Camden, Councillor Abdul Quadir, says: “I was delighted to host the signing Carol Concert in Camden and want to promote Camden as an accessible and welcoming borough for people who are deaf and hard of hearing”.
Jackie Ballard, Chief Executive says “We are grateful to the Mayor of Camden’s support for Action on Hearing Loss. Christmas can be an isolating time and events like the Mayor’s carol service help make it inclusive for everyone”.
To donate to the Mayor of Camden’s charity visit www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/camdenmayor or text 70070 with the code ‘HEAR12’ followed by the donation amount.
Contact for general media enquiries:
Chris White, Senior PR Officer, telephone: 020 7296 8242 / 07720 717333 or chris.white@hearingloss.org.uk
Notes for editors:
- Action on Hearing Loss is the charity working for a world where hearing loss doesn't limit or label people, where tinnitus is silenced – and where people value and look after their hearing.
- Please find attached two images. Picture A – Rita, daughter Maiya and the Mayor of Camden. Picture B – Rita, daughter Maiya, Mayor of Camden, with the singing choir from Torriano Infant and Junior school. All free to use for publication. More pictures available on request.
- For further information about Action on Hearing Loss or to become a member, visit www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk, contact the Action on Hearing Loss Information Line on 0808 808 0123 (freephone) or 0808 808 9000 (textphone) or email: informationline@hearingloss.org.uk.
- Councillor Abdul Quadir, Mayor of Camden has chosen Action on Hearing Loss as his charity of the year and will be raising funds throughout the year.