A church is hoping to spread some Christmas joy in the East End by starting an “annual tradition”.

A Gospel Christmas in Dennistoun is set to take place next month at TEAM Church on Whitehill Street, with all proceeds being donated to the Everlasting Foodbank, which is based out of the same church.

“We really care about the community, and we’re looking for ways to engage the community and help them, to be a blessing to those around us,” Ifedade Thomas (below), the event’s organiser, told the Glasgow Times.

(Image: Colin Mearns) “This night is about Christmas, faith, community – it's about the spirit of giving.

“I don’t think there’s anything quite like this in the East End.”

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The event, which is set to take place on December 14, will feature performances from a gospel choir – accompanied by a band – as well as a raffle and festive treats.

Ifedade is a member of the church and is also a multi-instrumentalist, playing drums in Scottish faith band Celtic Worship. Both he and his wife, Unoma Okudo, have previously worked with the BBC – such as on The Quay Sessions programme.

He said he wants the event to become an “annual tradition” which brings the East End together.

“I wanted to start something that’s more grassroots, so this year I decided I’m not just going to do it once, I’m going to make it an annual tradition, just a very community-orientated gospel Christmas for the East End of Glasgow,” Ifedade said.

But he’s not stopping there, as he hopes to bring the event to the Barrowlands in two years’ time.

“We’re not trying to do something small, we’re trying to go big or go home,” he said.

“We want this to be something that everyone looks forward to every year.”

(Image: Colin Mearns) Ifedade organised a similar event around nine years ago, featuring the Kingdom Choir – who then went on to gain popularity after performing at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

There will be around 20 people performing on stage, including 12 people in the choir, gathered from across the country, as well as seven musicians playing the fiddle, cello, guitars, keyboard and drums.

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Local businesses have also showed their support for the event by donating prizes to the raffle.

Prizes include a £50 voucher for cake orders from Akara Bakery on Duke Street – which is owned by Ifedade’s sister – as well as Royal Concert Hall tickets and a voucher from Hollister.

Ifedade said he hopes to have around 10 to 15 raffle prizes on offer from Dennistoun businesses.

'We want to bring the East End together'

But what is the Christmas message the group is trying to send to the East End?

“Honestly, it’s just that we give because He first gave,” Ifedade said, referring to God and Jesus.

(Image: Colin Mearns) This message shines through the fact that all the profits go towards the Everlasting Foodbank and its Holiday Hunger for Kids initiative, which provides food for kids outside of term time.

“Our heart behind this really is to just bring the East End together and to bring joy,” Ifedade added.

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“We hope for this to be an event where family, kids, everyone can come together.”

A Gospel Christmas in Dennistoun will take place on December 14 at 7pm at TEAM Church, 12 Whitehill Street, G31 2LJ.

Tickets are offered on a “pay as you feel basis” via Eventbrite.