Cover Julian Liu, Anne Wang Liu, Ben Keswick, Audry Ai-Morrow and Tom Morrow attend the Fayre of St.John's on December 9
On the evening of December 9, members of Hong Kong’s social circuit attended the Fayre of St John’s, an annual fundraising event hosted by Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centre (MCCC)
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Photo 1 of 9 Members of the organising committee for this year's event included Nadia Harilela and Alison Lusher Falloon
Photo 2 of 9 Ankie Beilke
Photo 3 of 9 Audry Ai-Morrow and Yolanda Choy-Tang
Photo 4 of 9 Stephen King
Photo 5 of 9 Lucy Bond-Marriott
Photo 6 of 9 Michelle Reis and Jayden Hui
Photo 7 of 9 Reverend John Chynchen
Photo 8 of 9 Julian Liu, Anne Wang Liu, Ben Keswick, Audry Ai-Morrow and Tom Morrow
Photo 9 of 9 The choir performance at St John’s Cathedral

Who? Anne Wang-Liu, Angela Cheng-Matsuzawa, Audry Ai-Morrow, Yolanda Choy-Tang, Julian Liu, Leigh Tung Chou, Michelle Reis, Ben Keswick, Nadia Harilela, Stephen King

Where? St. John's Cathedral and MO Bar at the Landmark Mandarin Oriental

Here’s what you missed: Since 2008, the organisation has provided cancer patients and their families with free holistic care services, including emotional, social and psychological support. Members of the organising committee included Anne Wang Liu, Martha Keswick, Nadia Harilela, Alison Lusher Falloon and Audry Ai-Morrow who organised a one-hour programme packed with holiday cheer. At St John’s Cathedral in Central, 200 people gathered to listen to a thoughtful sermon by Reverend John Chynchen with touching remarks by Leong Che-hung, chairman of MCCC’s board of governors.

Actress Ankie Beilke was the emcee for the event, during which Alan Tsang and Jonathan Yip got everyone on their feet for a carol singalong to classics such as Hark! The Herald Angels Sing and Joy to the World. Michele Reis also took to the stage for a special reading of Bible verses, and local a capella group The Pelicans performed a medley of hits, as did the charity’s own choir.

“We are thrilled to be able to organise the event in person this year. Tickets sold out immediately and it felt like a small return to normality,” said Liu. “The most touching part of the evening was when a guest shared her personal journey with cancer and how Maggie’s Cancer Care Centre supported her. It said so much about the resilience of the human spirit and gives us all hope that brighter days are ahead. To see everyone come together was incredibly heartwarming.”

The intimate Christmas service was followed by a live and silent auction, which helped the team exceed their initial fundraising goal of HK$1.5million. In the mood for further celebration, guests walked the short distance to MO Bar at the Landmark Mandarin Oriental for an afterparty and more merriment.