The mornings are getting frostier, the street and shop decorations are multiplying, and the Christmas adverts on the TV are tugging at your heartstrings, yes, it’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.

Here at The National Brain Appeal we are getting excited about our annual festive event – the Carol Concert – because it really feels like Christmas has officially arrived when the concert begins. It’s at the picturesque St George’s Church, Queen Square, on Thursday 11 December. You’ll be treated to readings from our celebrity supporters, including actors Freddie Fox and Simon de Deney, plus the wonderful choral talents of classical singer Lucy Britner and the Mary Ward Singers. And the Queen Square Scratch Orchestra will be putting in an appearance, too. Huge thanks to Peregrine’s Pianos who are supporting the event once again and are loaning us a piano for the concert. Get your tickets now before they sell out! 

You’re probably starting to think about writing Christmas cards too, and this year we have a fantastic range to buy, from traditional scenes to retro designs. 

Finally, do pop along to our Christmas sales, which are held every Tuesday (10.30am-4pm) up until 2 December in The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. We’ll have brimming stalls, full of festive treats and gifts, and every penny of our sales goes towards our Operating Theatres Appeal.

Aside from donations and fundraising, there are a number of quick and easy ways you can make a difference:

1. Nominate us to be your local charity of choice in Waitrose – just pick up a ‘Community Matters’ application form from the store. More details here.
2. Nationwide building society also run a nominated charity scheme where they will fund a community project. Please nominate us!
3. Online florist, Bloom & Wild, will donate £5 for every order you place up until 6 December. And they've given you 10% off too – it’s a lovely way to support the charity. Just enter the code 'NBA10' at the checkout.
4. Visit The Giving Machine, choose us as your nominated charity, and use the site to do your online shopping at hundreds of the UK’s biggest retailers (such as Amazon, Debenhams, Tesco and M&S). We get a percentage of your total spend and it costs you nothing extra! 

For more events, personal stories and how you can get involved, please visit
www.nationalbrainappeal.org, or follow us @brainappeal and fb/TheNationalBrainAppeal

Theresa, Marcelle, Jess, Louise, Cara and Leigh