Information for press

Press releases

Press release from Chris Whiting

Press release from SSAFA Forces Help

Press release from Grant Thornton

Press release from Black Sheep Records

Images

L-R: Helen Gibson, Deputy Manager, SSAFA Norton House; Kathryn Godfree, partner, Grant Thornton; Chris Whiting, Grant Thornton

L-R: Kathryn Godfree, partner, Grant Thornton; Helen Gibson, Deputy Manager, SSAFA Norton House; Chris Whiting, Grant Thornton

Singer supports wounded troops with debut single

Proceeds from My Boy go to military charity SSAFA Forces Help

Singer / songwriter Chris Whiting has teamed up with Charlatans' drummer Jon Brookes for a new charity single in aid of SSAFA Forces Help.

The song My Boy is written from the perspective of a father whose son is leaving to go to war and all proceeds will be used to help troops and their families through the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association - Forces Help.

Having performed the song at numerous gigs and events Chris was often approached by current and ex-soldiers, families and friends of servicemen, all of whom had found it moving. It became clear that My Boy had a particular resonance within the Serving community and so Chris and John Taylor from Black Sheep Records, approached SSAFA Forces Help with a view to releasing the single.

Chris was keen to support SSAFA Forces Help after hearing about the charity's 'homes from home' for injured service personnel and their families. SSAFA Norton House is near the main military treatment centre at Selly Oak Hospital and allows mums, dads, partners, wives, children and grandparents to stay close to wounded loved ones when they need them most.

Chris said: "Every time we switch on our televisions or open up our newspapers we are reminded of the dangers our servicemen and women face and also of their families. They're the ones who remain at home, going about their daily lives, hoping and praying that their loved ones return safely to them.

"Being a Midlander myself I was very aware of the excellent work of SSAFA Forces Help in developing SSAFA Norton House near Selly Oak Hospital. During what must be an extremely traumatic time for families, they can now remain close to their loved ones, in comfort and with the support of SSAFA Forces Help's dedicated staff."

Chris works as an accountant in Birmingham-based Grant Thornton's not-for-profit advisory team, and the company has funded the recording of the single. Kathryn Godfree, partner and Grant Thornton's Birmingham office CR coordinator, said: "We are absolutely delighted to support Chris and his creative endeavours on behalf of SSAFA Forces Help and hope that his single raises lots of money for this very deserving cause".

My Boy, which features Jon Brookes of The Charlatans on drums, is being officially released through Black Sheep Records on 14th December. The CD is currently available to pre-order through Chris's website www.chriswhitingmusic.co.uk and tracks will be available to pre-order on download from November 16th from Ditto Music at www.dittomusic.com.

My Boy will be available to download from iTunes, Amazon, Napster, Dittomusic and many other major sites from December 14th, and a CD will continue to be available through www.ssafa.org.uk or www.chriswhitingmusic.co.uk.

Jon said: "More and more of our soldiers aren't coming home and when their families need help SSAFA Forces Help is there for them. I hope this beautiful song gives people something to reflect on."

The single is sponsored by Grant Thornton and has also been supported by the RAC and Loft Mastering House.

"This song is for those brave men and women serving our country, and it is every bit as much for their families, whose hearts are carried by those soldiers every single moment of every single day," said Chris.

ENDS

For media enquiries and interview requests please contact:

John Taylor at Black Sheep Records on 07969 585591 or john@blacksheeprecords.co.uk

For more information about SSAFA Forces Help, the work they do and their involvement in this project please contact:

Lucy Walters at SSAFA Forces Help on 0207 463 9258 or lucy.w@ssafa.org.uk

For more information about Grant Thornton and their involvement in this project please contact:

Jill Priest at Grant Thornton on 01886 822077

Spread the word with: