The Snowflakes singing ‘It’s Christmas’ for Mencap
Mencap ambassador, former RoadTrip boyband member and influencer Mikey Cobban, along with YouTube stars VYB, have formed a parody boyband, The Snowflakes, to release a spoof Christmas song to raise money for Mencap.
Mikey is not just using his singing talent to support the charity; he is also running the London Marathon later this year and has dyed his hair pink.
He said: “I’m really proud to be a Mencap ambassador; the charity enables thousands of people who have a learning disability, to live the life they want, and that’s why I’m running for them in the Virgin Money London Marathon in 2020.
“It made sense for The Snowflakes to choose them as the charity to partner with for the single’s release. We hope to raise much needed funds that Mencap will use to help even more people with a learning disability all around the UK, and I hope that us doing this helps kick-start a conversation about learning disability, isolation and how we can all help people with a learning disability to overcome loneliness through social inclusion.”
All profits from streaming the single and 65p from each sale on iTunes will go to Mencap.
They say it’s a spoof, but if you were a fan of boybands in the 1990s you’ll love this. And who wouldn’t want a signed photo of Mick Hucknell to unwrap on Christmas?
Tony Mortimer accompanies Waltham Forest Youth Choir and East London Brass to sing ‘Stay Another Day’ for CALM
A quarter of a century after Stay Another Day topped the charts for East17, former band member Tony Mortimer is involved in a reworked version of the Christmas classic in support of the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), which is leading a movement against suicide.
Mortimer accompanies the Waltham Forest Youth Choir and East London Brass and the new version has been arranged by acclaimed composer Joe Duddell. It is part of the Waltham Forest: London Borough of Culture 2019 initiative.
Mortimer said: “Everyone remembers Stay Another Day as a Christmas record, but underneath the white parkas and fake snow is a song about male mental health and a story about my brother who took his own life. CALM is a charity very close to my heart and I hope this release gives people who are struggling the confidence to speak up and seek help."
25 per cent of the proceeds generated from all sales of the single will be donated to the charity.
I can’t think of a more fitting way to mark the 25th anniversary of a classic and poignant Christmas song.
The X Factor Celebrities contestants singing ‘Run’ for Shooting Star Children’s Hospices and Together for Short Lives
All 13 of the X Factor Celebrity finalists have taken part in a cover of Snow Patrol’s Run to raise money for Shooting Star Children’s Hospices and Together for Short Lives.
Children from Shooting Star House’s, the charity’s Hampton hospice, were able to meet celebrities and take part in the video.
Simco Limited will donate 100 per cent of its profits from the sale of each download and audio stream of the single which, together with the VAT, will be shared equally.
Go on see how many of the celebs you can name…
Out of the Blue sing ‘Frozen medley’ for Helen & Douglas House
The annual Christmas offering from Oxford University’s all-male acapella group is always always awaited with bated breath.
This year they’ve gone in a slightly different direction and are singing a medley of songs from the Frozen, this will either be a delight or a frustration for any parents of small children.
They are again raising money for Helen & Douglas House, which provides hospice care for children and young adults.
Damien Edwards sings ‘Lost Inside’ for Dementia UK
As a tribute to his mum who suffers from dementia and encourage others to seek help, Kevin Hall, a musician and producer, wrote Lost Inside, which has been performed by Damien Edwards.
Julie Cox from Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline said: “This is such a heartfelt song and it’s a real privilege Kevin has decided that all proceeds go to Dementia UK, to help more families with dementia have access to a dementia specialist Admiral Nurse.
“Christmas can be an isolating time but music has the power to bring people together. This is especially the case for family carers and people diagnosed with the condition – we’re all rooting for a Christmas Number 1.”
All proceeds will go to Dementia UK.
Ruth Green sings ‘Share Christmas With Someone’ for the MS Trust
Ruth Green wrote and performed this for the MS Trust as a tribute to the support she has received over the years.
She has lived with MS for 27 years and lyrics of the song express Ruth’s personal journey and relate to the feelings of loneliness that some feel around the Christmas period.
She says: “My Christmases since the loss of my parents, have changed. Not having them around brings a sadness, but I live on the memories that we shared and that inspires me to keep going. The MS Trust have been amazing for me, which is why I wanted to release this song for them. It is so important that we raise more awareness about MS.”
The upbeat track, reflects Ruth’s own upbeat attitude and she aims to raise £5,000 so that the MS Trust can also help others to live life to the fullest.
Prof Graham Leslie sings ‘Travelling Home for Christmas’ for Sheffield Children’s Hospital
Yorkshire businessman, Graham Leslie, has recorded Travelling Home for Christmas to raise money to redevelop the Cancer and Leukaemia ward at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
Graham said: “The reason I’m supporting this cause is I once had the experience of not being able to be with my children one Christmas and I was very fortunate to be able to visit the hospital and entertain the patients with cards, tricks and my guitar.
“I hope people get behind the charity single and give a valuable gift to those children and their families in hospital facing a difficult Christmas this year. I feel passionately about family, and about the work of Sheffield Children’s Hospital, which is invaluable of course all year round.”
100 per cent of the proceeds will be donated to The Children’s Hospital Charity.
Graham is certainly pulling off the ‘ageing rocker turns his hand to a festive song’ look, and by Boxing Day we all feel a bit like the blond girl does at the end of the track!
LadBaby sings ‘I Love Sausage Rolls’ for the Trussell Trust
YouTube star LadBaby along with his wife and sons “broke in” to Abbey Road to record their festive offering, which is sung to the tune of Joan Jett's I Love Rock and Roll.
For every download of LadBaby’s charity Christmas song, ‘I Love Sausage Rolls’, 100 per cent of all song profits from every download will go to the Trussell Trust.
This is a current favourite for the top spot, so much so Radio X DJ Chris Moyles, who has his own bid for Number 1 in the works has had a public dig about LadBaby, so when you find yourself wondering why you have a sudden craving for sausage rolls, take comfort in the knowledge that it has at least raised some money for the Trussell Trust.
If he succeeds in reaching Number 1 then he will be the first act since the Spice Girls to have two successive Christmas Number 1s.
Lyra Cole sings ‘When a Child is Born’ for Brain Tumour Research
Six-year old Lyra Cole had surgery to removed a brain tumour when she was just five years old and she and her family are now committed to raising awareness for the charity.
She’s also a real contender, having reached number 50 in the download chart, and had her version endorsed by Cliff Richard. All proceeds after covering costs will be donated to Brain Tumour Research.
The Silent Choir record ‘Silent’ track for Children’s Society
The Children’s Society has brought together a group of artists, including Royal Blood, The Amazons, ELIZA, Martin Kemp, HRVY, KT Tunstall, Leah Weller, Freddie Long and Joanna Forest, to record “silence” to be added to that of The Silent Choir.
Its aim is to highlight the start reality for children suffering in silence and experiencing abuse and neglect.
The soundtrack follows the appearance of The Children’s Society Silent Choir which only performed when members of the public offered their donations.
Mark Russell, Chief Executive of The Children’s Society, said: “The silent track is a much-needed reminder that so many children are deprived not only of the Christmas spirit but of a voice each and every day. Alongside the artists who have given their silence to show their solidarity, we believe that we can give a voice to the children who need us the most, this Christmas and beyond.”
If you’re not a fan of the traditional Christmas music then this is definitely one for you.
Brad Goodall sings ‘Christmas Song to Make You Think’
Technically this is not a charity song in itself, but one appealing to today’s popstars to make more charity songs.
Brad says he is inspired by the tearjerker ballads from the 1980s, “so I wrote a song (plea) for our great celebrities to make a new one”.
Here at Civil Society we heartily agree, if only so that we have songs for this annual round-up!
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