THE Children’s Society has launched a new campaign to mark 50 years of Christingle services. It is seeking funds to ensure that “no child should feel alone”.

The campaign #Christingle50, which was launched yesterday, will raise funds for vulnerable people through Christingle events, in collaboration with the Royal Academy of Music.

The Children’s Society brought the Christingle service to the UK 50 years ago. The first service was held at Lincoln Cathedral in 1968.

A new song, “Light a Candle”, has been written. It was composed by Louise Drewett, a student at the Academy, and the lyrics were written by Clare Shaw, a poet.

The charity estimates that 200,000 ten- to 17-year-olds in the UK suffer from emotional neglect. The charity’s chief executive, Matthew Reed, said this week: “The children we support deal with huge issues in their daily lives. Sadly, Christmas Day, for them, is no different, and, for many, it simply amplifies the challenges they face.

“Too many young people will wake up on Christmas morning like any other: feeling alone and unable to cope. Through our 50th anniversary Christingle campaign we want to change that — we believe that no child should feel alone.”

Ms Shaw said: “Having come through abuse and familial estrangement myself, I know that music and poetry can be a transformative experience for young people. Louise and I wrote this piece to be accessible to everyone, but I hope that, for some, it will speak at a deeper level, and that lines like ‘no child should feel alone’ will have a resonance.

“The Children’s Society really understands how difficult life can be for some children.”

www.christingle.org