A CHRISTMAS concert at the Hereford Cathedral next month will help support serving and retired soldiers, and the families that stand by them.

Sarah Adams – who lost her son James Prosser while he was serving with The Royal Welsh in Afghanistan – will lead the speakers at the fundraising event for The Soldiers Charity on December 19.

Since losing her son, Mrs Adams has dedicated herself to fundraising, raising tens of thousands of pounds for the charity, and working with authorities to help set up the county’s Community Covenant, which helps support military families.

Mrs Adams, who lives just across the Welsh border, said: “I'm just a Mum missing her son, but I also know that we must improve the lives of the soldiers we still have and support their families.

“The Soldiers’ Charity is part of my family now and it means so much to us that in some small way we can help them make a difference to the lives of others.

“It’s so very important to remember the sacrifices that are made for us.”

Earlier this year, Mrs Adams was recognised with the Families award from the charity for her fundraising work, presented at the Soldiering On awards ceremony.

A biannual event, the concert is one of the biggest fundraising opportunities for the military charity and has always been well-supported by the city.

The Christmas Carol Concert will feature music from three choirs, and also a speech from writer and journalist Quentin Letts.

Tickets for the event are available at the cathedral’s shop, from Church Street’s The Outback or at the Courtyard Centre for the Arts.

You can also buy tickets – which range in price from £5-£15, with under-14s free – online at www.courtyard.org.uk/abf.

They will also be available on the door, before the event starts at 6:15pm.

For more information email paul.hayden@hotmail.co.uk or visit www.thesoldierscharity.org.