A Hertfordshire-based orchestra is opening its 50th anniversary celebrations with a concert in Harpenden in aid of children and young adults who suffer from genetic condition A-T.

On January 17 the Herts Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Graham Ross will perform at St George’s School to raise money for the A-T Society.

Along with works by Beethoven and Bizet, the concert will feature internationally famous violinist Jennifer Pike.

All proceeds from this concert will go to support the work of the A-T Society.

A-T – ataxia-telangiectasia in full – is a genetic condition affecting children and young adults. Apparently normal at birth, children have to cope with progressive physical disability, complicated by immunological problems.

Normally using a wheelchair by the age to 10, and increasingly dependent on help with everyday tasks, they are at risk of developing cancer and lung disease.

Few live beyond their mid-20s and currently there are no treatments and no cure.

The charity was founded in 1989 and run for many years by a Harpenden couple who had two children with A-T.

Following the death of their two children in their early twenties, they decided to step back from the charity and recruited a chief executive.

The A-T Society now provides support to families across the UK and Ireland and funds medical research internationally.

William David, chief executive of the A-T Society, said: “We are delighted that the Herts Chamber Orchestra has agreed to give such a prestigious concert in aid of the A-T Society, especially in their 50th anniversary year.

“A-T is an incredibly tough diagnosis for a young family.

“They need help with healthcare, equipment, housing, education – everything really – and then they want research to find a cure.

“The A-T Society provides all this – but like all rare conditions A-T is often overlooked for the better-known diseases.

“This concert will bring not just valuable funds, but invaluable publicity – not to mention the chance to escape the stresses of the disease and the winter darkness listening to Jennifer pike playing Brahms.”

To order tickets call 01582 760733 or visit, www.atsociety.org.uk/hcoharpenden. Tickets are £15, £10 for concessions and under 16s are free.