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Demelza Hospice Care for Children choir records Andrea Bocelli cover for Christmas campaign

A children's hospice choir has released its own version of an Andrea Bocelli song as part of its Christmas fundraising appeal.

Demelza Hospice Care for Children teamed up with music producer James Hawkins, who recently produced The NHS Voices of Care Choir who sang on the number one hit single, You’ll Never Walk Alone, recorded by Captain Tom Moore and singer Michael Ball.

Watch: The Demelza Hospice Care for Children choir's cover of Andrea Bocelli’s Fall on Me

The group recorded Fall On Me at the charity's hospice in Bobbing, featuring patients, their siblings, parents, volunteers and staff.

The idea came about after Sam Bowen, a mother of a patient at the hospice, first heard the track in the height of lockdown last year during a virtual music therapy session run by Demelza.

The 49-year-old's daughter Lucy, 10, has a unique genetic condition and multiple medical issues which means she is non-verbal and uses a wheelchair.

Sam said: “The words resonated so much with me. Having a child with a life-threatening condition, all that means on a day-to-day basis and with the added pressure of shielding from Covid-19, lockdown felt isolating.

"When we needed help, Demelza staff were there to catch us from falling."

The Demelza Hospice Care for Children choir singing its version of Andrea Bocelli’s Fall on Me for the charity's Christmas fundraising appeal
The Demelza Hospice Care for Children choir singing its version of Andrea Bocelli’s Fall on Me for the charity's Christmas fundraising appeal

Sam’s reaction prompted her to approach Victoria Swan, senior music therapist at Demelza, asking whether there was a way everyone could sing the track as part of the music therapy sessions, which had become a lifeline to her and her daughter, and countless other families who were confined to their homes as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Victoria said: “I thought ‘you know what?’ there might just be a way so I went away had a think, and came up with a ‘virtual’ choir.”

After a number of online rehearsals, the choir members met in person in mid-October to perform together for the very first time and film the music video, which illustrates the battles fought by the families the charity supports.

The resulting track and video is now a key part of Demelza’s 2021 Christmas campaign, which hopes to raise £100,000.

The charity is raising money to grant special #FestiveWishes for children and families who are facing the reality that this Christmas could be their last together.

Sam Bowen and her daughter Lucy
Sam Bowen and her daughter Lucy

This includes a special gift for children and their siblings, a personalised video message and letter from santa, a visit to his grotto, a festive walk and the expert nursing care needed over the holidays and throughout 2022.

To find out more about the #FestiveWishes appeal or to donate, click here.

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