Youngsters from disadvantaged areas were chosen to be flag bearers in a carol service for the Royal Commonwealth Society in the run up to Christmas.

More than 50 students, who are being supported by Mosaic’s mentors, were selected to take part in the event which included an address by former Prime Minister The Rt Hon Sir John Major.

The young people joined more than 800 guests at St Martin’s-in-the-Field, Trafalgar Square, on Wednesday 5^th December for the annual Commonwealth Carol Service.

The event had carols, readings and performances all celebrating Christmas and the diversity of the Commonwealth.

Amir, a student at Westminster City School said: “I count it a great privilege to be a part of this event.”

Director of the Royal Commonwealth Society Chairman, Danny Sriskandarajah said: “It was fantastic to see Mosaic youngsters taking part in the event as members of the London Commonwealth family came together to celebrate the 2013 theme ‘Connecting Cultures and the diversity of the Commonwealth.”

The main address of the event was given by the former Prime Minister John Major in his capacity as chair of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust.

Jonathan Freeman, our National Director, said: “The carol service was a fantastic opportunity for these young people to take part in such a special event which marks the end of the Diamond Jubilee. Earlier this year, Mosaic was able to bring 200 youngsters to the Diamond Jubilee concert. It has been a real honour to enable young people who would not otherwise have had the opportunity to be right at the heart of this important year of national celebration.”

Read about how we help thousands of young people in disadvantaged UK communities every year