A North Yorkshire children’s choir will later sing at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance in London.

Members of the Service Children’s Community Choir will perform Bill Withers’ song Lean On Me at the annual commemoration event at the Royal Albert Hall.

Children from schools around Catterick Garrison and the wider area make up the 32-strong group.

Angela Campbell, who founded the choir in 2018, said the young people felt honored to perform at such a “prestigious and moving” event.

Campbell, who is North Yorkshire Council’s children in service advocate and chair of the Children in Service Network, said: “The choir has very much become a family and we have had many adventures together, but this is the adventure of our life.

“Everything we do at the choir is focused on ensuring that children and young people from military-connected families feel valued and supported.

“Our team of music specialists build their confidence in playing and teach them a wide range of musical skills. The choir is supported by a number of volunteers from the area.

“We will wait to see them shine at the illustrious Royal Albert Hall.

“We know the North Yorkshire military community will be very proud of them all.”

The children are from Wensleydale School, Risedale School, St Francis Xavier School in Richmond, Richmond Methodist School, Wavell High School in Catterick Garrison, Le Cateau Community Primary School, Bolton Church of England Primary School On Swale in Richmond and the Church of England Michael Syddall. Primary School in Catterick.

The choir’s travel, food and accommodation costs have been covered by the Royal British Legion, and they have received an additional £800 from North Yorkshire councillors’ local budgets.

The authority’s armed forces advocate Kevin Foster donated £500 and council leader Carl Les a further £300 to buy matching hoodies for the youngsters to wear on their trip.

Foster, who is a Catterick Garrison ward councillor, said: “It has been fantastic to follow the children’s choir over the years and it is a very emotional experience.

“I have been very lucky to have been offered tickets by the Royal British Legion to attend and I will be very proud to see the choir represent us all.”

Les added: “This is a proud moment for the county and I am more than delighted to support this worthy cause with a donation from my local budget to make the trip as memorable as possible.”

The Princess of Wales is to attend the festivalas he continues his return to public royal duties following his cancer treatment, alongside other senior members of the Royal Family.

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