ThisIsTheMusic

11 bands from the north west have come together to record Band Aid’s ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ to raise money for local charity, 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.”

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.

‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ is released on Thursday 16th December at 6pm. You can donate money to The Brick here.