Christmas 2023 is quickly approaching, and we can't wait to celebrate it with you all! But first we want to stop and offer you another chance to support a band, and some charities.
Little Red Ambulance
Is a band of 5 friends that meet every year to write and record a Christmas song, with 2023 being their 11th year. The group's songwriting began with Dave back in 2009 when he and Phil met overseas with work and recorded their first Christmas tune 'Maybe This Christmas!'
as a way to pass the time and entertain colleagues. Upon return to the UK, the band formed and were soon in the studio to re-record the song properly and 3 other songs in their 1st year. With a common outlook that no new original Christmas songs of note ever made it into the charts, we decided that at the very least, we would aim to return to the studio annually in the endless pursuit of the holy grail - Christmas Number One with an actual Christmas song! (though would settle for making the Official Charts). Our dedication to the challenge remains as steadfast as ever but mostly we really appreciate the commitment we made to each other because of the fun we have when we all convene at the recording studio and turn an idea into another great (yes we are biased) tune and then find ever-increasingly ridiculous ways to make a video to go with it! All in, we have 21 songs (half of them festive tunes) and want people to enjoy them all! With each Christmas song they release, they select a charity to donate the profits to, this year they have two.
The Velindre Cancer Center is a specialist cancer diagnostic and treatment centre located on the perimeter of Cardiff. They provide services to over 1.5 million people across South Wales and beyond. Each year they treat over 5,000 new referrals and around 50,000 outpatients with the aim is to provide individuals and their families with the best possible care and treatment.
Reason: One of the band's family is receiving ongoing care and support from them and of course as a tight knit group that goes back many years (most of the band have been close friends since school days over 20 years ago), this is hugely important to us personally.
Cornwall Air Ambulance is the charity that provides critical care to the most seriously sick and injured people in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The crew attend more than 1,000 missions every year, and with no direct government support towards running costs, it relies on the generosity of people's donations to keep flying.
Reason: Cornwall Air Ambulance is a charity whose work Dave and I have been aware of for many years; we've both witnessed their arrival at emergencies across the county and with such limited emergency response infrastructure in Cornwall and many rural outposts, they save lives daily which otherwise would be lost. They receive no public funding and are totally reliant upon fundraising and donations.
We want to ask you to look at your (possibly) extra funds, and these charities and decide if you can help by donating. You can donate directly to each through the links provided up above or by buying/streaming music from the group. I would like to remind you that today is BandCamp Friday, a day when the site doesn't take a cut of the sales, so buying today would allow 100% to go to the charity. (Click Here).
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