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‘Hello,” Sir Trevor McDonald says in those famously smooth, deep tones and I fully expect him to follow with “this is the news.”

It’s enough just to listen to that clipped, enunciated voice, but Sir Trevor, the country’s favourite newsreader for more than 30 years, is here to promote Saturday’s Helen & Douglas House concert, at which you too can listen in awe to his reading.

And while he discusses his involvement with the Oxford charity, Sir Trevor finds the time to chat about his present workload, his engagements with The Queen, and his frequent visits to Oxford.

“My son is at Oxford Brookes actually,” Sir Trevor tells me, when I ask him how often he comes to Oxford. “So I’ve been here quite a few times over the years.

“I doubt he’ll be there on Saturday though,” he chuckles. “Saturday night is party night if you’re a student.”

Sir Trevor will be there regardless, to support Helen & Douglas House, the children and young adults hospice charity, and a cause that has grown very close to his heart over the years.

“I met Sister Frances years ago and she introduced me to her son. I remember thinking, how does that work, a nun with a son.

“But of course she had adopted this young boy when he was incredibly ill, and I was stunned by how devoted she was to this cause,” Sir Trevor remembers. “So I started doing bits and pieces for them.

“I remember getting all the newsreaders together during our lunch hour to make a film encouraging people to donate money to the second hospice, although I did voice doubts about whether Sister Frances would manage to raise the £5m needed.

“And then a few months later there I was with her at the opening ceremony with The Queen,” he laughs.

“And it was quite funny actually because I bumped into The Queen again a week later at The Albert Hall, and she turned to me and said ‘wasn’t that a marvellous place we went to last week’.”

Sir Trevor is “in awe” of the work that goes on at Helen and Douglas House and said he jumped at the chance to help at Saturday’s Light up a Life concert, alongside actor Tom Hollander.

“The work there is extraordinary, because not only do they look after the children, but they give their parents respite as well, because the pressures of looking after seriously ill children are all consuming.

“It’s not just a drain on your financial resources but your human resources as well,” Sir Trevor observes, “and I’m always totally bowled over by the work that goes on at Helen & Douglas House.”

So is it far more emotive seeing things for real rather than reporting on them? “It’s not only different but also one in which you can play a tiny part, because sadly there are few crises we report on that we can actually do something about,” the 71 year-old says.

“One can sympathise, but in this way we can help in a tiny, tiny way.”

And is it easier to get up and talk to a live audience or a TV camera? “Both are terrifically different,” Sir Trevor laughs. “But it’s nice to see and have a reaction from the people you are talking to.”

As for what Sir Trevor’s been up to since he retired as a newsreader, it would seem he’s never been busier.

Having filmed The Secret Caribbean with Trevor McDonald, he is now immersed on a similar series on the Mediterranean.

“I wouldn’t say I was busier than when I was reading the news,” he says,” but I’m still pretty busy. But at least I don’t have to work at night any more, and I get to watch more sport on TV,” he chuckles.

And with that Sir Trevor retires back to the TV studios for some more fascinating observations delivered by that unmistakeable voice.

* Light up a Life for Helen & Douglas House is a special musical concert at University Church of St Mary the Virgin in Oxford on Saturday at 7.30pm. The concert is for anyone to remember those they have loved and to enjoy good music by local people.

It will feature the Oxford Welsh Male Voice Choir, Radley College Chamber Choir and the Manor School Choir. Tickets are available on 01865 799150 or by email at fundraising@ helenanddouglas.org.uk