Excited singers from a Bury school braved the cold in a huge show of community support and Christmas spirit at the University of Bolton Stadium on Monday night.  

Bury Times: Bolton Wanders players singing at the concert Bolton Wanders players singing at the concert (Image: Newsquest)

With more than 10,000 people in attendance, the stadium was filled with song as Bolton and Bury school children, supporters and Bolton Wanderers players joined the impressive show of community spirit.  

Bury Times: Bolton University Stadium lit by torchesBolton University Stadium lit by torches (Image: Newsquest)

Although "The Big Bolton Carol Concert" didn’t break the world record for the largest group of carol singers, special guests like Brenda Edwards, a singer and Loose Women panellist, ensured crowds were not short of joy.  

Among the 1,000 school children, singers from Holly Mount RC Primary School in Bury also made the trip to perform at the event.

Bury Times: Essa School with Lofty the Lion Essa School with Lofty the Lion (Image: Newsquest)

Chief communications officer at Bolton Wanderers, Siobhán Chaplow, said: “We had this idea to do something big and exciting that would get the whole community here at this amazing time of year. 

Bury Times: Paul Hodgin, Joyce Welsby-Hodgin, Kelly Murray Paul Hodgin, Joyce Welsby-Hodgin, Kelly Murray (Image: Newsquest)

“We have had an incredible response to it and have been overwhelmed by the numbers.  

“To get the world record would have been great but this was very much about bringing people together at this time of year.”  

Bury Times: Lofty conducts school singers at the concert Lofty conducts school singers at the concert (Image: Newsquest)

In the crowd, Robert Stevenson and Kayden Lee Stevenson prepared to sing, adding that they love coming to the club and couldn’t miss out on the opportunity to help raise some money and show support.  

Bury Times: Robert Stevenson and Kayden Lee Stevenson Robert Stevenson and Kayden Lee Stevenson (Image: Newsquest)

Robert said: “We're delighted to be here at such a prestigious event, and we hope that everybody can help raise a lot of money for some really significant causes.  

Bury Times: Bolton players joined in with the carols Bolton players joined in with the carols (Image: Newsquest)

“It's amazing having so many come together from the community to do this, and for the club to put it on; they're absolute legends.” 

Bury Times: The Horton Family get ready to sing in Bolton University Stadium The Horton Family get ready to sing in Bolton University Stadium (Image: Newsquest)

Also in the stands were the Horton Family, who said that they would be singing very singing loudly and couldn’t wait to share the festive spirit with everyone.  

Bury Times: Mum, Susan Wright was with her two children Olivia Wright and Oscar WrightMum, Susan Wright was with her two children Olivia Wright and Oscar Wright (Image: Newsquest)

Susan Wright was at the event with her two children Olivia and Oscar.

Oscar said: “I’m really excited because I love Bolton Wanderers, so I wanted to come along to the carol service.” 

Bury Times: Brenda Edwards, Loose Women panellistBrenda Edwards, Loose Women panellist (Image: Newsquest)

Bucket collections were taken around the stadium to raise money for six charities, including the Jamal Edwards Self Belief Trust, set up by Brenda Edwards.  

The Loose Women panellist set up the charity after her son's sudden death earlier this year and thanked organisers of the event after singing two incredible solos.   

Bury Times: Singers at the Bolton University Stadium Singers at the Bolton University Stadium (Image: Newsquest)

The other five charities included Bolton Wanderers in the Community, Urban Outreach Bolton, Backup North West, Age UK Bolton and 1point Bolton. 

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