A YOUNGSTER is having her moment in the spotlight after becoming one of the stars in a new charity single and music video.
The single is raising cash for Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity, to help fund singing-play sessions at the hospital run by Ex Cathedra Singing Medicine.
‘You Are Everything’ is an uplifting song and encourages children to find their voice and sing when they’re scared or feeling sad.
It’s been created and produced by Ex Cathedra Singing Medicine, an organisation which has been visiting the patients at the hospital weekly for the past 20 years (since 2004).
One of the young stars featured is six-year-old Emilia Mackay, from Redditch, who has been a patient at Birmingham Children’s Hospital since April last year, when she was diagnosed with aplastic anaemia, a serious blood condition, where the bone marrow and stem cells do not produce enough blood cells.
Emilia had a successful stem cell transplant in September, but had to spend six weeks in hospital, in isolation, as she was immunocompromised.
During this time, with her interaction with others limited, her sessions with Ex Cathedra Singing Medicine became a source of joy and something she looked forward to.
Having enjoyed singing and dancing before she became ill, it was something her mum, Steph Mackay was so pleased to see.
Steph said: “It was an absolute joy to watch Emilia sing and play instruments with the team from Ex Cathedra Singing Medicine every week.
“Her face lit up every time they arrived.
“When we learned about the charity single, Emilia was so excited to get involved and do her part so kids in the future can benefit from the same sessions she did.
“She spent a couple of weeks learning the lyrics with the team and even got to go into the studio to record it, once we had left hospital. It’s an experience that will stay with us always.”
Money raised from the charity single will ensure the sessions with Ex Cathedra Singing Medicine can continue.
The song has been written by Ex Cathedra Singing Medicine team member, Ruairi Edwards, and was filmed over two days at the hospital.
It features the vocals of some of the patients and the Trust’s Choir, as well as those of the Ex Cathedra Singing Medicine team.
To view the ‘You Are Everything’ charity single and see the patients in action, visit bch.org.uk/singing, where people can donate.
ref:Solihullobserver
