Rocking Around the Christmas Tree: BBC Local Celebrations with Jon Bon Jovi, Olly Murs, and Si King
This holiday season, the BBC Local Christmas celebrations will feature rock legend Jon Bon Jovi, pop star Olly Murs, and celebrity chef Si King engaging with the winners of the Make a Difference Awards. These inspirational individuals will have their remarkable stories shared across all 39 BBC Local stations in England during the festive period. Jon Bon Jovi expressed his excitement and gratitude towards the winners, emphasizing the impact of small acts of kindness in making the world a better place.
One of the award winners, Mark Fielden from Shrewsbury, was recognized for his fundraising efforts in memory of his mother. Mark's annual music festival has raised over £1000 for a local charity supporting breast cancer patients. Jon Bon Jovi commended Mark's dedication and offered his support by providing signed records and tickets for future fundraising events. Olly Murs also praised the winners for their incredible contributions, highlighting the importance of making a positive difference in people's lives.
Sabrina Ffrench, who won the Great Neighbour Award, shared her experience as a nurse and volunteer for multiple charities. She expressed her gratitude to her supportive network and was thrilled to meet Olly Murs. Celebrity Chef Si King, hosting the Make a Difference - Feel Good Christmas program, aimed to share heartwarming stories of kindness and community spirit during the festive season. Chris Burns, Head of Local Audio Commissioning at the BBC, commended the winners for their inspiring actions and emphasized the significance of celebrating their achievements at Christmas.
Listeners are encouraged to tune in to their local BBC radio stations starting from December 1st to enjoy the festive programming. The lineup includes special shows such as Make a Difference – Feel Good Christmas with Si King, a Christmas service with presenter Frances Finn, and segments featuring Jon Bon Jovi and Olly Murs celebrating the Make a Difference Awards winners. The programming aims to highlight the positive impact of these individuals and spread Christmas cheer through their uplifting stories.