A MUSICIAN from Bredon is hoping to donate £1,000 to the Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital this Christmas through the sale of his charity Christmas single.

Singer songwriter Mat Read, aged 28, is a former student at Prince Henry’s High School, in Evesham.

He said he was so touched by the children he met during a visit to the hospital that he decided to record the song The Year Fades at the May-B music studios in Pershore.

Music has always been a hobby for Mat, a bowling alley manager by day, and he recorded his first album in 2000. He first wrote The Year Fades in 2008 and has now finally committed it for general release.

He said: “After a visit to Great Ormond Street a few years ago I was so moved by the kids there. Their confidence, hope and passion for life in such horrific circumstances made my heart leap but also made me shed a tear.

“When I had recorded the track I knew in my heart there was only one thing I could do, and once it went up onto iTunes it was very easy to collate the sales and be able to donate every penny of the proceeds. I am happy to say it has started selling well and a couple of smaller radio stations across the country are playing it already which has boosted sales too.

“I would love to be able to hand over a cheque for £1,000 to Great Ormond Street as a Christmas present this year – at only 79p for the track I need all the help I can get to hit this target.

“But I am really focused and confident that with the help of the public I’ll be able to do it.”

The Year Fades is available from iTunes and from Mat’s website at matread.me.uk/music.

People can also donate to the campaign without buying the song by going to the Just Giving website at justgiving.com/mat-read.