Organisers of a charity concert are hoping to raise thousands of pounds to help a children’s hospice service on the verge of expansion.

The Haydn Chamber Orchestra, made up of musicians from across north London, is hosting its first concert of the year on January 19.

The travelling orchestra has raised more than £70,000 for charity through fundraising concerts over past years and has this year chosen to raise money for Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice in Barnet.

The charity, which provides home care and support for 130 children with life-limiting illnesses and their families, has recently acquired land to build a hospice and is soon to seek planning consent.

The hospice building would provide help for more of the 900 children in north London the charity says need care.

Cash raised at the concert at St Michael’s Church in Highgate will be split between the hospice service and the Harington Scheme, a charity that helps people with learning difficulties into work and further education.

The orchestra's fundraising organiser Pauline Treen said: “I used to work for the North London Hospice and when I joined, they had just been given a site to build a hospice.

“Noah’s Ark is in the same situation now so it seemed to make perfect sense. It is such a crucial time for them to raise awareness and money so I thought we could help.”

Sponsors have covered all of the costs for the performance so all profits from ticket sales will be split between the charities and organisers are hoping to raise in the region of £8,000.

Tickets come in three brackets and cost £25, £20 and £15 reserved or £10 unreserved. To book, telephone 020 8340 5643.