You Make Me Believe – hospital staff come together to record Christmas single

Staff from across University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) came together in February 2020 to record a Christmas single which has now been released with the aim of raising funds to support UHB Charity’s appeal to bring Christmas to the hospitals.

This initiative has been led by Gordon Giltrap, legendary musician and long-term patient of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, who enlisted the help of his friend, songwriter Carrie Martin, who wrote You Make Me Believe for the choir to perform.

Following successful treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Gordon wanted to launch a choir with members of staff from across the Trust, and with the help of the hospital charity, brought together a group of keen singers from across the hospitals.

Shortly after the choir got together to record the song, the COVID-19 pandemic began and the choir members all played their part across the hospital in the fight against the pandemic.

Arlo Whitehouse wanted to get involved in the choir after hearing about it through Gordon, who he treated during his time in hospital. Arlo said: “So much has changed since we did the recording back in February, it’s great to see everyone coming together and this provides a bright light in what is a really dark time. To have this to celebrate is a really good thing.”

Arlo works in the research team at QEHB and was redeployed to Critical Care at the start of the pandemic. He said: “It was a really difficult time but we all came together to support our patients. UHB Charity’s support helped by funding iPads to give patients a connection to their loved ones. This Christmas we need to do what we can to continue supporting our patients, and donations to UHB Charity through the release of this single will make a huge difference.”

Gordon Giltrap said: “It was a pleasure and an honour to be involved in this amazing project. Little did we know when we recorded the song that the NHS was about to experience the most difficult period in its existence. The past year has made this project even more special, and I hope that the track brings some joy to people at the end of a very difficult year for us all.”

The money raised from the track will help UHB Charity to support patients and staff across its hospitals, helping to ease the pressures over the months ahead. Cathryn Worth, Fundraising Manager at University Hospitals Birmingham Charity, said: “I would like to thank all of the incredible members of staff from UHB, and all of the incredible musicians and technicians who have helped to make this track a reality. I am delighted that this track is now available for people to listen to, and I would encourage everyone to listen to it and make a donation if they can."

"I shall be writing in detail about the project and its touching history in my December 2020 news page."

Watch and donate via Facebook

Watch on YouTube

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple Music

Buy on Amazon UK

Buy on Amazon USA

UPDATE - VIRTUAL CHRISTMAS CARD FUNDRAISING

Webmaster Sue Holton has come up with this great idea to raise the profile of the single whilst also helping to raise money for the UHB Christmas appeal.

Sue writes:

I had the idea of asking people to send 'Virtual Christmas Cards' emails to their contacts including a link to the video using the template below.

For each email /video sent the sender makes a voluntary donation to USB of (I suggest) a minimum 50p per email - this is less than the cost of posting a Christmas Card, more eco-friendly and of course Covid Safe.

You then ask the recipients to also send the video to their contacts and so on (like a chain letter) and all in turn make their own donations.

If each sender includes the template in their email the recipients can easily repeat the process.

Below is my suggested template - feel free to change it to fit your own circumstances but the idea is to make it easy for people to take part.

I know all of Gordon's friends will get behind this idea as you are such a generous bunch.

many thanks,

Happy Christmas!

Sue

TEMPLATE TO COPY AND PASTE INTO EMAIL

Dear (INSERT RECIPIENT NAME HERE)

(ADD PERSONAL MESSAGE HERE IF REQUIRED)

This year I am reducing my carbon footprint and staying Covid Safe by sending emails rather than Christmas cards. At the same time I’m raising funds for University Hospitals Birmingham Charity’s Christmas appeal by making a 50p donation to the hospital charity for each email that I’ve sent. This is less than the cost of posting a traditional Christmas Card.

Please enjoy the video "You Make Me Believe." which was masterminded by guitarist Gordon Giltrap. It is the University Hospitals Birmingham Charity Christmas Single, sung by the UHB staff choir, to support the UHB Charities Christmas appeal.

The Youtube link is : You Make Me Believe - UHB Charity Christmas Single - YouTube

If possible please help repeat the fundraising process by copying and using this template to send it on to some of your own contacts.

There is a suggested donation to the hospital charity of 50p per email that you send which can be made using Just Giving Christmas at UHB - JustGiving

You can find out more about the project here:

The song was written by UK singer-musician Carrie Martin.

Renowned English guitarist Gordon Giltrap MBE helped bring the project together, produced the video and recording with Paul White and sound engineer Hugh Robjohns.

https://www.giltrap.co.uk

Gordon played guitar, Oliver Wakeman, Rick's son, played keyboards and did the string arrangements, with Jim Waltham on bass guitar. The UHB Choirmaster was Helen Clayton.

Gordon's involvement came about because he is not only a patron of UHB, he's beena patient as well. Fans of the Who will be interested to note that the guitar Gordon played on the song was a gift from Pete Townshend!

Since the recording and video were done in February, the COVID pandemic has had a huge impact on staff across University Hospitals Birmingham. The proceeds from this track will help the University Hospitals Birmingham Charity to support its staff and the patients they care for this Christmas.

The University Hospitals Birmingham Charity requests that if you enjoy "You Make Me Believe" please consider making a donation to the UHB Charities Christmas appeal by visiting Christmas at UHB - JustGiving and by continuing the chain of 'Virtual Christmas Cards'.

Revenues generated by the sale or streaming of "You Make Me Believe" also go directly to the UHB Christmas appeal. To download "You Make Me Believe," you can buy from Amazon

You Make Me Believe by Gordon Giltrap on Amazon Music - Amazon.co.uk

or Apple Music

‎You Make Me Believe - Single by Gordon Giltrap on Apple Music

Hospital personnel the world over deserve our thanks and support for their sacrifice and dedication in 2020!

(INSERT PERSONAL CLOSING MESSAGE HERE)