The Living Years - Saint Francis Hospice aim for Christmas No 1!

The Living Years – Saint Francis Hospice aim for Christmas No 1!

Written by Paul Golder in Featured, The Breakfast Show👁 17,915

Thursday 24 November 2016, 10.14pm

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A newly-formed choir of 300 patients, families, staff and volunteers from 18 hospices are aiming for this year’s Christmas number 1 – and to raise awareness of the hospice movement – with a cover of “The Living Years” alongside Paul Carrack, who was also lead vocalist on the original 1991 hit. 

The multi-generational London Hospices Choir recorded their new take on the classic track at the world famous Abbey Road Studios and shot the moving music video with patients at Clapham’s Royal Trinity Hospice, under the direction of top Hollywood film director Annabel Jankel (Super Mario Bros, Live from Abbey Road).

Saint Francis Hospices’s Jane Merrigan came down to chat to Mike about the project. You can hear the interview again below:

Lead vocalist Paul Carrack said, “The Living Years has been an important song for me for many years, but this is the version that means the most. Recording it with this incredibly special group of people for such a worthwhile cause has created some kind of magic. It’s a powerful and inspiring track, and I hope that everyone gets behind it this Christmas.”

Choir member Lillian John (94), a patient at St Joseph’s Hospice, Hackney, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer more than 9 years ago said, “I have been given a new lease of life being part of the London Hospices Choir. St Joseph’s Hospice has been like a family to me, and now I feel like I am part of a huge extended family with 300 people all wanting to give something back to these wonderful places.”  

Former MP Derek Wyatt, Chair of Trustees at Royal Trinity Hospice, who brought the choir together in honour of their 125th anniversary, said, “We hope that this song will encourage families to take time to have those important conversations as they come together for Christmas. Everyone who buys the song will also be helping London’s hospices to offer the best possible care at a time when every day is precious.”

Music producer James Hawkins said, “The idea of recording ‘The Living Years’ with this wonderful choir came to me as I was walking around the pond at Royal Trinity Hospice. The song’s message was reflected so strongly as I watched generations come together at a place of such serenity and life to share important conversations. It couldn’t be a better message for everyone to hear this Christmas.”  
All profits from the sale of the single will be divided between the 18 hospices involved, helping them to support those reaching the end of their lives, and their families.

As well as Saint Francis Hospice, the other hospices contributing are Demelza Hospice Care for Children, Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice, Harlington Hospice, Haven House, Marie Curie (Hampstead), Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice, North London Hospice, Pembridge Palliative Care Centre, Princess Alice Hospice, Richard House, Royal Trinity Hospice, Shooting Star Chase, St Christopher’s, The Hospice of St Francis (Berkhamsted), St Joseph’s Hospice (Hackney), St Luke’s Hospice and St Raphael’s Hospice.