Rick Wakeman announces charity Saving Strays At Christmas concert

Rick Wakeman has announced a special charity concert, Saving Strays At Christmas with Rick Wakeman and Friends', which will raise money for Saving Strays, a charity dedicated to alleviating the suffering of stray and abandoned dogs across Europe and the UK. Wakeman is a patron of the charity.

The concert takes place at the St. Mary Le Tower Church in Ipswich on Saturday December 23. Anyone who follows Wakeman on X (formerly known as Twitter) will know he is very much a lover of animals, especially dogs, and often posts against animal cruelty.

"Xmas is coming! I'm looking forward to the Saving Strays concerts very much and also looking forward to the 2 November one man shows at Lytham St Annes and my December show at Hunstanton," says Wakeman. "If all goes well the plan is for one every year... so here's hoping it goes well!"

"We've had two wonderful dogs from this charity as well as one from another charity. They're are the most loveable, kind dogs you could ever wish to meet."

Appearing with Wakeman are actor Peter Egan – who has previously appeared on stage at similar shows with Wakeman – comedy music troup Triple Cream, singer songwriter Mim Grey and newcomer Nicola Olsen, as well as the Choir of St. Mary Le Tower.

A similar concert takes place at Guildford Cathedral on Friday November 24, and also features Egan, Triple Cream, Grey and Owen. Wakeman also plays piano concerts at Lytham St. Anne's Lowther Pavilion Theatre on November 10 and 11 and Hunstanton Princess Theatre on December 7.

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Writer and broadcaster Jerry Ewing is the Editor of Prog Magazine which he founded for Future Publishing in 2009. He grew up in Sydney and began his writing career in London for Metal Forces magazine in 1989. He has since written for Metal Hammer, Maxim, Vox, Stuff and Bizarre magazines, among others. He created and edited Classic Rock Magazine for Dennis Publishing in 1998 and is the author of a variety of books on both music and sport, including Wonderous Stories; A Journey Through The Landscape Of Progressive Rock.