Depaul SAFE@LAST has released a Christmas single, Teary Skies, recorded by Rotherham National Citizen Service (NCS) – which has made it into the pop charts.
The moving song, written and recorded by young people after hearing the stories of runaway children, has risen as high as Number 24 in the iTunes Alternative chart.
SAFE@LAST’s Jay Yerrell took three clients, former runaway children, to meet the 16-year-olds after an NCS sleepout at Rotherham United Community Football Club’s ground.
He said: “They were so moved by the stories they heard, they were inspired to write and release a song to raise money for SAFE@LAST.
“I worked with five of them on the song, another five planned and filmed the video and five worked on marketing and promoting the song. It is a great song and to get it into the charts, particularly at this time of year, is a fantastic achievement.”
Depaul SAFE@LAST, based in Dinington, South Yorkshire, provides services and support for children and young people who are at risk of harm before, during and after running away.
NCS Project Manager Carole Foster said: “It was put together by 15 young people aged 16 who were involved in NCS and with Rotherham United Community Sports Trust during the summer.
“As part of the programme, the group took part in a big sleepout to raise awareness and funds and decided to investigate further some of the reasons why young people run away from home.
“The participants researched the stories of children as young as nine sleeping out at Christmas in wheelie bins. The research had such a profound impact on the team, they decided to write and record their own song and music video to raise awareness of the issue and funds for Depaul SAFE@LAST.”
The brilliant song, which tells the story of a child who runs away from an abusive home environment, sleeps rough and is rescued and helped by SAFE@LAST, can be bought online for just 99p at: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/teary-skies-single/id1173968017
The highly professional video can be viewed on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5NEE4YRzKs
Carole added: “The young people were keen to put into practice their new found skills from the NCS programme and very quickly and skilfully negotiated the help of the renowned Music Factory, known for its production of the Spice Girls and Take That, while also securing the services of video production company Oliver Brian, which has recently won a MOBO Award for their production of Nadia Rose.”
Media Contact: Ollie Wilson, Depaul UK, Oliver.Wilson@depaulcharity.org.uk, 07823 412127