Music therapy inspires children’s hospice’s Andrea Bocelli charity cover

A children’s hospice choir has released a version of an Andrea Bocelli song as part of its Christmas fundraising campaign after the mother of a patient was inspired by a music therapy session.

Demelza Hospice Care for Children teamed up with music producer James Hawkins, who previously worked on Captain Sir Tom Moore’s rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone, to record the track.

The group recorded Fall On Me at Demelza’s hospice in Sittingbourne Kent, featuring staff, patients and their siblings, and parents.

The idea came about after Sam Bowen the 49-year-old mother of a patient at the hospice, first heard the track during a virtual music therapy session last year.

Ms Bowen’s child Lucy has a unique genetic condition and multiple medical issues which mean she is non-verbal and uses a wheelchair.

“The words resonated so much with me,” Ms Bowen said.

“Having a child with a life-threatening condition, all that means on a day-to-day basis and with the added pressure of shielding from Covid-19, lockdown felt isolating.

“When we needed help, Demelza staff were there to catch us from falling.”

After a number of online rehearsals, the choir members were able to meet in person before filming for the video, which illustrates the challenges faced by the families the charity supports.

The resulting track is part of Demelza’s Christmas fundraising campaign, “raising money to grant special #FestiveWishes for children and families who are facing the reality that this Christmas could be their last together”.

The charity hopes to raise £100,000 with the help of the song – the money will go towards providing a special gift for children and their siblings, a personalised video message and letter from Santa a visit to his grotto and a festive walk among other things.

To find out more about the #FestiveWishes Christmas appeal, go to www.demelza.org.uk/support-us/christmas-appeal