Hundreds of patients, families, staff and volunteers from 18 hospices in London are hoping to hit this year’s Christmas number one spot with a charity single.
A 300-strong choir group, including singers from St Luke’s in Kenton Road, Kenton, will be vying against this year’s X Factor winner to make it to the top of the pops with a cover of ‘The Living Years’.
Singer songwriter Paul Carrack, who sang the original 1991 hit, is leading the group aptly named the ‘London Hospices Choir’ to the top spot.
He said: “The Living Years has been an important song for me for many years, but this is the version that means the most.
“Recording it with this incredibly special group of people for such a worthwhile cause has created some kind of magic.
“It’s a powerful and inspiring track, and I hope that everyone gets behind it this Christmas.”
The choir recorded their track at the world famous Abbey Road Studios in St John’s Wood, under the direction of top Hollywood film director Annabel Jankel (Super Mario Bros, Live from Abbey Road).
Robin Webb, is the chief executive officer of St Luke’s and is also a choir member, he said: “It has been fantastic to be part of this wonderful partnership project working with 18 hospices across London – with volunteers, family members, patients and staff joining together to create an amazing sound.
“We had 25 people representing St Luke’s Hospice including one of our community nurses and volunteers from across the hospice. The Living Years is a very moving song and it includes a powerful reminder to seize the moment and say the things that are important right now – don’t wait!
“Hospice care is about helping people to live well, know that their loved ones are supported and be cared for and die with dignity in the place of their choice – I hope that this song will help spread our message to millions of people.
“Please do buy the song – and encourage your friends and family to do the same – Hopefully we can get to number one in the week before Christmas!”
Choir member Lillian John, 94, is a patient at St Joseph’s Hospice in Hackney, and was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer more than nine years ago.
She added: “I have been given a new lease of life being part of the London Hospices Choir.
“St Joseph’s Hospice has been like a family to me, and now I feel like I am part of a huge extended family with 300 people all wanting to give something back to these wonderful places.”
All profits from the sale of the single will be divided between the 18 hospices involved, helping them to support those reaching the end of their lives, and their families.
‘The Living Years’ by The London Hospices Choir and Paul Carrack is being released on December 16.
It is available to pre-order on iTunes and Amazon.
For more information about St Luke’s Hospice visit stlukes-hospice.org and to follow London Hospices Choir go to facebook.com/londonhospiceschoir.
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