Community choir aim for download chart success with song celebrating the NHS

A song celebrating the NHS in its 70^th year has been released in the charts by a Bristol choir to raise money for their local hospital this Christmas.

‘We Are The Same Inside’ by ‘Melody Makers Choir and Horfield Primary School Choir for the NHS’ is available to download on all digital download sites as a pre-order from November 19 and fully available to download from November 30.

Money raised from downloads will be donated to Southmead Hospital Charity to support patients and fund medical research and new equipment at North Bristol NHS Trust.

The 80 strong-choir is made up of people from communities surrounding Southmead Hospital, including many former patients, NHS staff as well as children from Horfield C of E Primary School.

Lead vocalists are Sarah Villaraus, Rebekah Brown and 11-year-old Nathan Hughes, now a pupil at Colston’s School.

Composed and written by Melody Makers Choir leader, Natalie Veal with lyric support from choir member Natalie Sital-Singh, ‘We Are The Same Inside’ captures the ethos of an inclusive and dedicated health service.

Natalie Veal, a choir leader from Henleaze, said she wanted to bring together her love of music with her gratitude for the NHS.

She said:

“Every member of the choir – the musicians, the children of Horfield Primary School and myself – have put a lot of love into this song; it’s our way of thanking the hospital staff and giving back to our community.

“In writing the song we really thought about what the NHS means to us and the work that NHS staff do.

“We are all hugely excited about the fundraising this will bring to the charity and I’m so proud of the choir’s achievement and their infectious enthusiasm throughout this project.

“We’ve loved singing with the children, who’ve added a sprinkle of magic to our song.”

Melody Makers have been regular and popular performers at Southmead Hospital Charity’s Great Brunel Buskathon events in the summer and at Christmas.

This Christmas the charity is asking everyone to download the song for just 99p on iTunes or across other download sites to support the hospital, its patients and help fund projects that improve the NHS for future generations.

Adrian Brown, corporate and community manager for Southmead Hospital Charity, said:

“When Natalie approached us with the idea of releasing a song to raise money we were delighted – it is a unique, creative and inspired way to fundraise and we are so grateful for the time and efforts that everyone involved has dedicated to it.

“The message in the song is a powerful one that really conveys the strength of feeling that people have for the NHS and for its staff.

“We hope everyone in Bristol, and beyond, will download the song this Christmas to celebrate our NHS – it’s a small thing but it can make a big difference to healthcare now and in the future.”

Find out more about the song and watch the video at www.southmeadhospitalcharity.org.uk/song

Download on iTunes or listen on Spotify.