It’s Christmaaaas! St James Quarter has celebrated the launch of its festive season with Forth One’s Boogie, Arlene and Marty hosting its ‘Christmas Light Switch On’ event on Thursday.
They were joined by representatives from St James Quarter’s charity partners, Cash 4 Kids and Deaf Action, who pushed the big red button and declared it officially Christmas at The Quarter.
Edinburgh Rock Choir echoed joyful tunes throughout the galleria as crowds gathered to watch over 40 glowing sculptures light up and give an explosion of colourful sparkle.
To help spread Christmas cheer, St James Quarter also donated over £6,000 worth of prizes to Forth One’s Boogie in the Morning ‘Supervan’ campaign, which has raised £100,545 to support children who are disadvantaged by poverty, the rise in living costs and trauma.
The prizes, which included a £500 gift voucher, a 12-month Sky Q TV subscription, dinner for four at Maki & Ramen and a year’s membership at Everyman, were collected during the ‘Christmas Light Switch On’ event ready for the lucky winner to take home.
Nick Peel, Managing Director at St James Quarter, said:“It was fantastic to see everyone turn out for the Christmas light switch on last night, it was a true moment of togetherness and community.
“Boogie, Arlene and Marty got the crowds ready for the festive season and we are so proud that St James Quarter was able to support the Supervan campaign this year – it’s been wonderful to see the exceptional amount of funds raised to support those who need it most. We wish all of our guests in Edinburgh and across Scotland a very Merry Christmas for 2022.”
St James Quarter, Edinburgh, Christmas Light Switch on
Victoria Hendry, Charity Manager at Radio Forth’s Cash for Kids said:“We have been absolutely delighted with the donations towards our Supervan campaign from St James Quarter and the many retailers.
“Over £6,000 worth of items and experiences was an absolutely fantastic effort and what better way to celebrate than ending our Supervan journey at The Quarter by having Boogie, Arlene and Marty switching on the Christmas Lights.
“We are so grateful to be the chosen charity partner alongside Deaf Action and bringing our cause to the forefront at Edinburgh’s most incredible venue.”
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at St James Quarter! The festive season kicks off with the official ‘Christmas Light Switch On’, hosted by Forth One’s Boogie and Arlene tomorrow (Thursday, 10 November) from 6pm.
Taking place on Register Square, the dazzling event is open to the public and free to attend, with representatives from charity partners, Cash 4 Kids and Deaf Action, set to push the big red button and light up The Quarter for Christmas.
St James Quarter’s retailers are also getting involved by revealing their glitzy Christmas window displays to accompany the 40 glowing star sculptures that will give an explosion of gold sparkle throughout the galleria for shoppers to admire. The Edinburgh Rock Choir will also be spreading Christmas cheer by taking to the stage and singing loud for all to hear.
This Christmas St James Quarter has donated over £6,000 worth of prizes to the Forth One Boogie in the Morning Supervan campaign which raises vital funds to support children who are disadvantaged by poverty, the rise in living costs and trauma.
The contents of the Supervan will mean the winner’s Christmas shopping is complete with a variety of experiences and goodies from businesses across Scotland.
The donations from The Quarter include a £500 gift voucher, a 12-month Sky Q TV subscription, dinner for four at Maki Ramen, a year’s membership at Everyman plus many more.
The text lines to enter will be open from 06:00 – 10:00 on Friday 11th November, for further details tune into Forth One Boogie in the Morning.
Nick Peel, Managing Director at St James Quarter, said: “There is no better way to mark the beginning of the festive season than joining our charity partners to switch on the shimmering stars throughout the Galleria.
“This year we are also joined by Boogie and Arlene who will no doubt be singing along to the Edinburgh Rock Choir. As the past few years have shown, this time of year is about bringing people together and enjoying the Christmas spirit. We look forward to welcoming our guests and filling St James Quarter with festive joy”.
A little boy who was diagnosed with a brain tumour at only 12 days old was first to switch on the Christmas lights at Edinburgh’s new children’s hospital.
Joey Sharp, now 11 months old, endured two life-saving surgeries just days after he was born at Christmas time last year, and has been undergoing chemotherapy treatment at the hospital ever since.
Alongside his proud parents and with the help of big sister Carly (3), Joey pressed the button to light up the 20ft tree and surrounding area, following an introduction and countdown from Forth One presenter Boogie in the Morning.
Mum Sam said: “Our little Joey was only 12 days old when he had emergency surgery in December last year. Hours before, we were given the devastating news that he had a brain tumour.
“We were told to prepare for the worst. Our world had shattered. I had been making Christmas lists, buying presents and organising family fun. Suddenly, it all seemed hopeless.
“After eight agonising hours, 50% of the tumour was removed. But Joey was still seriously ill and needed a second operation. The days passed in a blur as we sat by his side in Intensive Care.
“Two days before Christmas, he had his second brain surgery. This time, they removed 98% of the tumour, but we still had a way to go. With six long months of intensive chemotherapy ahead, we were determined to make the most of every moment.”
Sam and husband Steven will always be grateful for all the care and support both they, Joey and Carly received while in hospital over the festive period.
The family are backing Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity’s (ECHC) new Christmas appeal, which asks supporters to help “Light Up Christmas” for those seriously ill children and young people facing a hospital stay this December.
Sam continued: “Throughout our time in hospital, ECHC was there for us at every turn, supporting us on the ward when none of our family or friends could visit.
“The charity’s activities gave us a break from our daily reality. Seeing Joey respond to bubbles in baby sensory sessions, and hearing singing and live music was wonderful. It gave us hope. The change that came over the ward when the charity arrived was amazing, everyone’s faces lit up.
“On Christmas Day, Covid rules were relaxed and we were allowed to be together. ECHC made sure our time was magical. They showered the kids with gifts and involved Carly in all the fun. The best gift of all was seeing her and her baby brother together for the first time since he was admitted.
“In March, we were transferred to the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People. We felt anxious leaving the old Sick Kids but the moment we arrived we were reassured with the most wonderful welcome.
“The new hospital is made for children and families. It’s a bright, fun, friendly space that supporters of the charity should be proud to have made possible.
“Joey is now 11 months old, cancer free and growing stronger every day. Without doubt, the support from ECHC made a huge difference to his recovery and our first memories as a family so it was wonderful to have him be the first to switch on the Christmas lights for the charity at the new hospital!”
Children, families and staff gathered at the hospital entrance and watching on from windows were treated to a musical performance by Edinburgh Brass Band before watching Joey and his family light up the giant Christmas tree – very kindly gifted to ECHC by Conifox Adventure Park.
The Christmas Light Switch On is just one of many activities that the charity has planned to make Christmas as magical as possible for those who are sadly too unwell to spend it at home.
Victoria Buchanan, from ECHC, said: “We would like to say an enormous thank you to Conifox Adventure Park, Edinburgh Brass Band, Boogie in the Morning and Joey and his family for helping to make our first ever Christmas Light Switch On at the new hospital so special.
“Every year, ECHC makes Christmas magical for children in hospital by creating a living advent calendar around the wards with a new surprise behind each door, with everything from a real ballerina to festive magic sessions and a samba band! We also fund the hospital play team and Christmas gifts to make sure treats and distractions are always available to bring smiles and comfort.
“This is our first year in our new home at Little France, so we are determined to make it the biggest and best Christmas yet. Although we have lit up the building, we still need help to Light Up Christmas and make sure no child or young person in hospital misses out on the joy of the festive season.
“We rely solely on donations to do this. Please help by making a donation to ECHC this Christmas. You could Light Up Christmas for a child in hospital this December.”
To donate now to ECHC’s Light Up Christmas appeal, visit:
St James Quarter hosts first Christmas switch on supporting local charity partners
St James Quarter celebrated the launch of its first Christmas season at The Quarter’s official switch on last night. The magical moment was followed by an exclusive performance from Edinburgh Rock Choir.
An enchanting array of festive stars have taken centre stage of The Quarter with over 40 glowing sculptures on display giving an explosion of gold sparkle throughout the galleria for Christmas shoppers to admire.
The event, which took place on Register Square, saw representatives from St James Quarter’s charity partners Deaf Action and Cash 4 Kids hit the big red button to declare Christmas at the Quarter officially here.
Edinburgh Rock Choir rang in the special occasion with their own rendition of ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’ and ‘Hold Back The River’.
Deaf Action Choir performed ‘Merry Christmas Everyone’ and ‘Thank You For The Music’ and both charities together helped raise vital funds throughout the night.
Nick Peel, Managing Director at St James Quarter, said: “Christmas has officially arrived at The Quarter. Having our charity partners here to help us kick off the festivities was the perfect way to welcome the festive season.
“Not only was it a fantastic evening but we also managed to raise money for some great causes. For some, Christmas can be a difficult time of year so we’re pleased to be able to do our bit and help where we can.
“We hope everyone had a great night and we’re looking forward to welcoming all our customers over the festive period.”
To make the most of the festive period St James Quarter has extended its opening hours on various days throughout December.
