School records charity album to help heroes (From The Bolton News)

School records charity album to help heroes

9:50am Wednesday 2nd December 2009

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CHARITY records have become a tried, tested and fun way of raising funds for good causes.

Normally they are put together by some of the biggest names in showbusiness — Peter Kay is currently top of the charts with his latest charity effort for Children in Need.

Now pupils and staff at a Farnworth school which boasts its own recording studio have decided to put together their own album to raise more than a note for Help for Heroes.

Every year, Harper Green School uses the season of goodwill to support charities and good causes.

This year, it has followed in the tracks of pop stars and compiled the charity CD, entitled One Fine Day, which is released this week.

Recorded in the school’s studio, the 15 songs feature the voices of past and present pupils, as well as staff members and friends of the school.

Tracks include songs by artists including Abba, Shania Twain, Lionel Richie, Back Street Boys, The Kinks, Dionne Warwick and The Beatles.

Deputy headteacher Ian Smethurst said: “We believe the songs are some of the examples of great pop songs made over the years by some very well-known artists.

“One Fine Day is a fitting album title in view of the nature of the Help for Heroes Charity.”

Pupils Sam Cain, aged 14, and Thomas Ainscow, aged 12, performed Ebony and Ivory, the song made famous by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder.

Sam said: “Some of the wounded have injuries which will not allow them to carry on with a normal lifestyle, so it is vital we support Help for Heroes. People buying a CD will help the cause because every penny goes to the fund.”

Thomas said: “We have been making the album since July. We have a great relationship with the teachers.”

The album costs £5 and is available from the school — and is a must Christmas present according to the year 10 creative and media diploma pupils who have given it rave reviews.

Stuart Calderwood, the school’s expressive arts technician who produced the compilation, said: “The recording is of professional standards and equal to anything you might buy or hear on the radio.”

The school hopes to raise more money with a sponsored danceathon in the school’s Peter Kay Theatre on December 16, when some of the tracks will be showcased.

* You can listen to a track, I Say a Little Prayer. sung by Emma Ainsworth, here:

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