Bristol boy to front Rainbow Trust’s celebrity carol concert

Jaxson and his family from Bristol are fronting Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity’s prestigious celebrity-studded London Carol Concert. The annual event on December 5 will take place at St Paul’s Church in Knightsbridge to raise vital funds to support families caring for a life threatened or terminally ill child.

Jaxson, seven, who features in a short film encouraging support for the concert, was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2020 when he was three and endured many months of treatment at Bristol Children’s Hospital.

The family spent Christmas and the new year in the hospital and would be in and out for appointments every month for the next three years.

Rainbow Trust’s Family Support Worker Wendy from the South West team began supporting parents Sophie and Mitch and Jaxson's younger sister Bella, in January 2023. Wendy was able to provide them with respite, with her support allowing Sophie time out for everyday jobs such as preparing lunch boxes, cooking dinner, and taking the dog for a walk. Wendy was someone Sophie could confide in and trust, who completely understood her situation.

Sophie said: “Both Bella and Jaxson immediately loved Wendy and loved having someone else to play with. She is great for me too – I had closed myself off but with Wendy I had someone to open up to. Talking to Wendy helps me cope better.

“We are eternally grateful for having such amazing support from Wendy so naturally we are all delighted to be able to attend the London Carol Concert and help to raise awareness and funds for Rainbow Trust and families like ours. We owe them so much and are delighted to help in any way we can. Jaxson particularly enjoyed making the short film on the website and is really looking forward to reading at the event.”

The event will be hosted by much loved radio presenter and broadcaster Jane Garvey. Jane is well known for presenting BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour for over a decade and her daily weekday show on Times Radio as well as her popular podcast with Fi Glover – Off Air... with Jane and Fi.

Celebrity guests and readers at the event, include actress Olivia Williams, well known for her role as Camilla Parker Bowles in The Crown, tennis star Annabel Croft and broadcaster and award-winning journalist Angela Rippon CBE.

Guests will be treated to a variety of Christmas music from soprano Margaret Keys and saxophonist Rob Burton, a previous winner of the Woodwind Category Final of BBC Young Musician. The Elstree School Chapel Choir will also sing arrangements of an array of classical Christmas songs and will lead the congregational singing of traditional Christmas Carols.

Hundreds of guests are expected to attend the much-loved event and will be welcomed with mulled wine and mince pies from 6pm before listening to a range of wonderful festive readings and music against a magical candlelit backdrop.

Rainbow Trust supports families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness. When a child has a serious illness, family life is turned upside down and time becomes more precious than ever. Rainbow Trust pairs each family with an expert Family Support Worker who enables them to make the most of time together, giving them practical and emotional support, whenever they need it, for as long as is needed.

Oonagh Goodman, director of fundraising and marketing at Rainbow Trust, said: “We are really looking forward to celebrating and welcoming guests, readers and musicians to our 15 ^th Annual Carol Concert, which is one of our most admired and popular fundraising events. Christmas can often be one of the hardest times of the year for the families we support and we are so grateful that Jaxson is able to attend and read for us.

"This event will get people into the festive spirit while fundraising for an immensely important cause meaning our Family Support Workers can help those families have the best Christmas possible.”

Tickets cost £45 each, or £25 for under 25s and online booking is now available here.