11 Wigan and Leigh bands have come together to record Band Aid’s ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ to raise money for The Brick.
The brainchild of Stanleys band founders Jake Dorsman and Rob Hilton, the campaign to cover this festive classic was created to raise money for Wigan and Leigh charity, The Brick. The pair wanted to do something to help their own community who have shown so much support for Stanleys, and they felt that as this is such a difficult time of the year for so many, that the time was right, to give something back.
The Brick has been experiencing unprecedented demand for its services. In the last year alone, the number of people sleeping rough, has increased by 70% and people being supported into emergency accommodation provision has increased by 50%. The provision of food parcels for families and individuals in need of help, has increased by 180% since 2019.
Jake Dorsman said: “All the bands involved in this campaign are extremely supportive of each other and we have a great camaraderie. The Wigan music scene is amazing right now and to give back to our community we wanted to do something a little bit different. We all know of, and appreciate, the inspirational work that The Brick does to help people facing poverty throughout the year, and at Christmas time this demand for The Brick’s help increases so much more.
“We felt that this was the right time to come together to raise as much money as we can, and the classic Christmas song, ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ really reflects, for us, the reality facing so many families in our community right now.
Rob Hilton, adds: “I want to thank all the bands for joining us in our campaign, and we want anyone who listens to our cover of this classic to donate as much as they can, as every donation will help us to raise much needed funds for The Brick.”
Keely Dalfen, Commercial and Finance Director at The Brick, said: “When Jake and Rob approached us to let us know that 11 bands from Wigan were coming together in this way, to not only record a cover of such a great Christmas song, but to raise money for The Brick whilst they were doing it is extremely humbling and we are all so grateful for this support we are shown, from our community, once again.”
“We know that at Christmas time especially, the people and families we support, really need our help. This year, demand for our food parcels has increased more than ever before and we will be providing more Christmas food hampers for families, then in previous years, so the help from Stanleys, and all the other Wigan and Leigh bands involved, is so appreciated.”
Louise Green, CEO at The Brick concludes: “From all the staff and volunteers at The Brick we want to thank all the bands for helping us in this way, and we hope that Wigan Band Aid’s version of ‘Do they Know It’s Christmas?’ really does help to feed families across Wigan and Leigh this year!”
The bands taking part in the Christmas charity cover for The Brick are: Stanleys, The Lathums, The Lottery Winners, The Lilacs, Flechettes, The Facades, Garden Party, Rivver, Joe Astley, Pink Shirts For Pale People, Cavelia and The Ravellas.
You can donate to Wigan Band Aid’s campaign to raise money for The Brick by visiting: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/wiganbandaid