As a father of five children, Brett Kirk knows the joy an evening out to sing Christmas carols can bring to a family.

But the Fremantle assistant coach also knows that many families will be forced to spend their Christmas within the wards of a hospital.

Dating back to his decorated playing days at Sydney, Kirk has been an ambassador for Redkite, a charity that supports children and young people with cancer and their families.

Redkite is also one of Fremantle’s principal charity partners.

Tendai Mzungu and Jack Hannath joined Kirk at Princess Margaret Hospital on Thursday evening to sing Christmas carols with children and their families who are doing it tough at the moment.

For Kirk, singing carols brought back fond memories of his childhood in Albury, New South Wales.

“I can remember lighting the candles and all the wax dripping down, hanging out with my family on a picnic rug on a balmy night in Albury,” he said.

Kirk, Mzungu and Hannath joined the girls’ choir from Methodist Ladies’ College to belt out a number of Christmas classics, including Jingle Bells and The 12 Days of Christmas.

Kirk said it always meant a lot to him to be able to help cheer up the children.

“I love sharing the joy,” he said.

“We just heard that some of the kids might not get home for Christmas time.

“If we can come in and help put some smiles on their faces, it’s a small thing that we can do to be a special part of their day.”