FABIO Capello may have dismissed the idea of
an official England song, but that hasn’t stopped one regional
media group from getting in on the act.
With the tournament just days away now, KM
Group has revealed the 10 finalists in its Song for England
competition.
The Kent-based company, which owns 14 newspapers, 17
websites and eight kmfm radio stations, wanted to use all its
platforms to get people behind England’s bid for glory.
At the start of this month, it launched the
competition asking readers and listeners to send in MP3s of their
rousing anthems.
In total, 55 songs were received and this week
these were whittled down to 10.
The finalists are now being played on kmfm and
online at
www.kmfm.co.uk with readers and listeners being encouraged
to text vote for their favourite.
The winner will be announced on June 11 – the
day the tournament kicks off in Johannesburg.
They will have their song professionally
recorded and also get to star in their own music video.
The competition, which is being sponsored by
Kent Adult Education, is aiming to raise funds for Demelza Hospice Care for
Children.
The charity, which is based in the county,
will get the proceeds of the text voting and any possible iTunes’
revenue.
Its patron, XFM DJ Dave Berry, has backed the
competition as a fun way to help Demelza raise much-needed
funds.
KM Group’s Matt Ramsden said: “We have been
absolutely delighted by the response we have had to the
competition.
“Our aim was to do something fun ahead of the
tournament by getting as many of our readers and listeners involved
as possible.
“At the same time we wanted to do some lasting
good for a worthwhile cause.
“Listening to some of the 55 entries was an
experience few of us will forget in a hurry and we hope the people
of Kent are happy with our choice for the final 10.”
(May 27, 2010)