Pupils will sing at a public candlelight concert in central London to raise funds for children with terminal illnesses.

Members of the Elstree School Choir will perform at St Paul’s Church in Knightsbridge on Thursday (December 5), where a seven-year-old boy with leukaemia is giving the main reading.

Their carol singing is leading a benefit concert for the Rainbow Trust charity to support families caring for a life-threatened or terminally ill child.

Little Jaxson, who will be at the concert with his parents and five-year-old sister, is giving the main reading.

Jaxson was diagnosed with leukaemia when he was just three and his family has been supported by a Rainbow Trust worker since February last year.

“We are so grateful that Jaxson is able to read for us,” Rainbow Trust’s Oonagh Goodman said. “Christmas can be one of the hardest times for families we support.

“Our 15th carol concert will get people into the festive spirit while fundraising for an immensely important cause, so that we can help those families have the best Christmas possible.”  

The concert is hosted by BBC broadcaster Jane Garvey, who has presented Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour for more than a decade and has a weekday show on Times Radio.

Other readings are by actress Olivia Williams, who played Camilla Parker-Bowles in  historical drama series The Crown, tennis champion Annabel Croft and broadcaster Angela Rippon. 

The Elstree School Choir will perform arrangements of classic Christmas songs and lead the congregation in traditional carols.

Other performers taking the stage are soprano Margaret Keys and saxophonist Rob Burton, a former winner of BBC Young Musician of the Year.

Rainbow Trust supports families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness. It pairs families with a support worker to make the most of their time, helping as long as it’s needed.

Life is turned upside down when a child has a serious illness, the charity says. Time becomes more precious than ever.

The concert starts at 6pm. Tickets for the December 5 concert at St Paul’s Church cost £45, or £25 for under 25s. Visit www.rainbowtrust.org.uk/events/london-carol-concert for bookings.