Greeting guests with lilting Christmas carols sung by the Seoul Foreign British School senior choir and freshly baked pie, British Ambassador to South Korea Scott Wightman and his wife, Anne, hosted an annual charity event organized by the British Association of Seoul (BASS) at their residence in Seoul on Tuesday.

BASS raised about 70 million won for nine charities that provide a variety of services and material support to thousands of people belonging to underserved communities here.

The charities included the St. Columban Sisters in South Korea; the Myongdo Welfare Center; the Salvation Army; Jeon Jin Sang Clinic and Hospice; New Light; Gloster Valley; Anna’s House; Woori Nuri’s Hello English; and Father Noel Emmaus.

The groups provide a number of services to communities that are often underserved, such as immigrant communities, the elderly, abused children, the homeless and those living with HIV-AIDS.

For example, the St. Columban Sisters assist women exploited by the sex industry.

The Myongdo Welfare Center provides services for both children and adults with disabilities, while empowering them with confidence to become active members in their communities.

The Jeon Jin Sang Clinic and Hospice offers services to underserved communities in Geumcheon District, on the outer edge of Seoul. Doctor Marie-Helene Brasseur heads the clinic, which serves about 1,000 patients a week. (ephilip2011@heraldcorp.com)