The Justice Collective is just one of many contenders for this year’s Christmas number one with its version of He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother raising money to provide support to families of the Hillsborough disaster. Kirsty Weakley compiles a rundown of the top charity releases this year.
The Justice Collective
The coalition of pop-royalty, featuring artists such as Paul McCartney, Robbie Williams, Melanie C, Gerry Marsden and Beverly Knight have recorded a cover of the Hollies’ 1969 hit He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother to raise money to support the families of the 96 Liverpool fans who were killed in the Hillsborough disaster. Earlier this week the Chancellor announced that the government will waive the VAT on the single by making a donation equivalent to the VAT receipts collected on sales before the end of March 2013. Latest sales figures indicate that this will be the official UK number one on Sunday.
X Factor winner James Arthur
Together for Short Lives is the beneficiary of the X Factor winner James Arthur’s single. Impossible claimed the top spot in last week’s chart and was the fastest-selling single of the year so far, but looks set to narrowly miss out on the top spot in this week’s chart. Syco will donate all the proceeds from the single to the charity which supports children with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions.
Stobart Truckers
Eddie Stobart’s truckers have recorded a trucking version of the 12 Days of Christmas to raise money for Help for Heroes. It was recorded by the ten stars of the Channel 5 series Eddie Stobart: Trucks & Trailers, and the making of the single and video will feature in a Christmas special, Eddie Stobart’s Christmas Cracker, which will be broadcast on Channel 5 on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Mo Farah
Long-distance runner and Olympic hero Mo Farah has enlisted the help of a range of celebs, including David Haye, Jermain Defoe, Tom Daley, Boris Johnson, Phillip Schofield, Holly Willoughby and Jack Whitehall to release Do the Mobot. It is part of his campaign to raise £100,000 to build an orphanage and sports academy in Somalia.
Rod Stewart
The singer has released his version of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas with the proceeds being split 60:40 between the Teenage Cancer Trust and Celtic Charity Fund.
The Killers featuring Ryan Pardey
American rock band the Killers has released its seventh consecutive Christmas single for the Product Red campaign, which is led by Bono and Bobby Shriver, to fight Aids in Africa. This year’s single is I Feel it In My Bones and features the guest vocals of Ryan Pardey.
Military Wives Choir and Gareth Malone
The Military Wives Choir is hoping for a second Christmas number one after last year’s success. The latest release from their album is the title track Stronger Together and is raising money for to help set up choirs in military communities across the UK.
The Games Maker Choir featuring Alistair Griffin
Backed by the Mayor of the London Boris Johnson, Alistair Griffin has recorded a song with some of the volunteers from London 2012. I Wish For You The World is a retrospective celebration of the London Olympic and Paralympic Games and will raise money for Olympian and Paralympian charities.
Channel 4 choir, 4Tunes
Introduced by newsreader Jon Snow, the Channel 4 choir the 4Tunes has recorded a cover version of East 17’s 1994 Christmas number one Stay Another Day to raise money for Crisis.
Rapanui
Backed by Sir David Attenborough and Chris Packham, eco-fashion brand Rapanui has released a charity single The Grotto 2: The Present of Life to raise awareness of the campaign against the badger cull. All royalties from the single will go to the Badgers Trust.
