Emma Brining (Alb & k 84) is an Ambassador for Innovation for The National Brain Appeal, following the death of her partner Yannis from a stroke in 2021.

She recently attended the charity’s Carol concert at Holy Sepulchre Church, Holborn, where guests were treated to performances from leading actors, presenters and musicians at The National Brain Appeal’s Carol Concert, marking the charity’s 40th anniversary. Hosted by the BBC’s Nick Robinson this event raised just under £5,000 for the charity that is dedicated to supporting The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery and the UCL Institute of Neurology in Queen Square, London.

Emma was reunited with her direct contemporary from Haileybury, the actor, comedian, presenter and writer Stephen Mangan (H & Aby 81), who is also a supporter of the charity having lost his father to a brain tumour. Stephen is best known for hugely popular series such as Green Wing, Episodes and The Split, and presenting Portrait and Landscape Artist of the Year. One of his first TV roles was in the TV adaptation of Sue Townsend’s book Adrian Mole: The Cappuccino Years and he revisited her books for his reading at the Carol service.

Other readers included the actors Tamsin Greig and Indira Varma, and Radio X DJ & journalist Elspeth Pierce.

To support the work of this amazing charity please visit https://www.nationalbrainappeal.org/