Elderly Moray couple who care for terminally ill neighbour among Christmas carol congregation

A Scottish couple in their 80s who regularly take their neighbours to hospital appointments are among the guests invited to the Princess of Wales’ Christmas Carol Concert.

Love and empathy are the themes of this year’s event which will celebrate individuals who have supported others, and is being hosted by Kate on Friday at Westminster Abbey.

Among the guests at the service are Allen Vesper Miller and Joan Miller, a couple in their 80s from Moray in Scotland.

The pair regularly show empathy and kindness in their local community, taking their neighbours to hospital appointments, which is a round trip of five hours driving.

They have also cared for a terminally ill neighbour with kidney failure and are involved in village activities.

Also invited to the service is Olivia Bowditch from Dorset, who sends letters of support to cancer patients and Diven Halai, the first man to run the London Marathon with an oxygen machine.

Olivia volunteers at a charity called From Me To You Letters, which sends anonymous messages to cancer patients to make them feel loved and supported.

The 18-year-old has been a volunteer for a number of years and wanted to help people experiencing cancer feel less lonely.

Ms Bowditch sent a letter to Kate earlier this year, sharing her support and telling her about the charity and her volunteer work.

Diven Halai, who lives with interstitial lung disease, will also be at the abbey.

In 2022, Mr Halai, from London, became the first man to run the London Marathon with an oxygen machine, raising £20,000 for Asthma + Lung UK.

He has since taken part in the Vitality 10K, Royal Parks Half Marathon and the London 10K for Asthma + Lung UK.

He has also inspired 24 friends, family and colleagues to get involved in running events to raise money.

Shyla Brown, nine, from Cambridgeshire, who has raised more than £2,000 walking marathons, running bake sales and cycling 100 miles around Wisbech, is also be among the congregation.

Her best friend at primary school, Harrison, and his brother suffer from the degenerative Batten disease – a lifelong condition affecting sight, memory and physical ability.

All the money raised went to Harrison’s family.

Team GB paralympic swimmer Ellie Challis from Essex has also been invited to the service. She won a gold medal at the Paris games this summer after losing her lower limbs and arms to meningitis at just 16 months old.

Christopher Hall, from Hertfordshire, founder of the Christopher Hall Foundation which focuses on promoting empowerment and inclusivity through the power of photography, will be in the abbey as well.

He was homeless for two years and, through support from a charity, he found a talent for photography which helped get him back on his feet.

He is passionate about giving a voice to those facing adversity and discrimination.