A River City favourite, West End leading lady and Loose Women panellist to join forces to raise cash for Edinburgh charity

A LEADING West End lady, Loose Women panelist and a River City favourite are joining forces this festive season to raise funds for the charity Make 2nds Count, which was founded by husband and wife musical lovers Lisa and Euan Fleming, after Lisa was diagnosed in 2017 with secondary breast cancer.

The three will star in the one-night-only festive extravaganza Winter Wonderland Christmas Concert, at St Giles, which will feature songs from some of the best loved shows from London’s West End and Broadway on New York, with a special festive touch.

West End and Broadway star Kerry Ellis tops the bill having starred in various musicals - she played Nancy in Oliver!, Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady and Fantine in Les Miserables,

Joining Kerry on stage will be West End leading lady and Loose Women panellist, Zoe Tyler, who started her career at the age of 20 in Les Miserables. She also appeared in Joseph, Jesus Christ Superstar and played Eva Cassidy in Over the Rainbow as well as being a panellist on Loose Women.

Completing the line-up will be River City favourite Tom Urie, who will host the evening and has also appeared in Still Game and T2-Trainspotting.

The charity Make 2nds Count is dedicated to giving hope to those affected by the treatable but incurable disease and supports patients and families, raises awareness of secondary breast cancer and funds for medical research that will contribute to advancing an increased quality of life for patients.

Lisa, who started performing at age two and has taken to the stage in many King's pantos claims her love of music has been the best medicine and form of escapism during the last 12 months, during which she has undergone multiple operations and cancer treatments.

She says, “From the day I was diagnosed I wanted to raise awareness and funds to support research into secondary breast cancer. On average, only 5-9% of breast cancer funding is allocated to secondary research. Make 2nds Count has already donated over £150,000 to Edinburgh University to support research dedicated to secondary breast cancer and we want to continue to raise even more funds to support patients and families affected by this incurable disease. The Winter Wonderland concert is definitely a fun way to do that.”

Tickets for the Winter Wonderland Concert at St Giles' on 22 November, 7.30pm-9.30pm, £25 and £20 for children, https://bit.ly/2pgMPks