CHRISTMAS celebrations start at Maggie's cancer caring centre in Nottingham with a festive fair on Saturday.
There will be live music, gift stalls, a tombola, raffle and refreshments at the centre in the City Hospital grounds from 11am-3pm.
A Bake Off competition with a festive theme will be judged by members of Cake Eaters Anonymous. It costs £3 to enter and entries must be in by noon.
Maggie's Christmas cards will be on sale, with all proceeds helping to fund services for cancer patients and their families.
Admission is £3 for adults, children free.
The festivities continue with a fundraising carol concert in St Peter's Church, in the city centre on Monday, December 9, from 6.30pm-8:30pm.
Award-winning Carlton Operatic Society will be performing traditional Christmas carols, there will be songs from Bluecoat School Choir, witty entertainment by professional storyteller Amanda Smith and members of the centre's creative writing group will perform some of their work.
The evening's host will be Radio Nottingham's sports commentator Colin Slater and guests include the Notts High Sheriff and the Sheriff of Nottingham.
Refreshments have been sponsored by Innes England. Matthew Hannah, director at the Nottingham office, said: "For the last few years we have chosen to donate the money that we would have spent on Christmas cards to charity. This year we are very happy to support Maggie's by sponsoring their Christmas Carol Concert.
"Maggie's Nottingham is located in an iconic building and we have seen first-hand the valuable work the team does there and how welcoming the environment is to all that use the centre. The services cost a great deal of money to provide support to a lot of people so we are pleased to help in some way."
Tickets are £10 adults and £5 for children 12 and under. They can be purchased at www.maggiescentres.org/nottinghamcarols or contact Sasha Pauley, community fundraiser on 07970 043949.
* To find out more about the cancer centre's services, Maggie's Welcome Experiences take place on the last Wednesday of each month from 4-5pm.
