An Angus woman is hoping that UK listeners will go 500 Miles to support armed forces charities this Christmas.
Shirley Sanders from Kirriemuir joined the Chivenor Military Wives Choir as a way of making new friends when her husband’s deployment took the couple down south.
The group had just been formed by choirmaster Gareth Malone as part of hit TV programme The Choir in 2011, and recorded a Christmas number one single that raised £1 million for charity.
This year, more than 50 singers have joined forces on a rendition of Proclaimers classic I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) to raise funds for Walking with the Wounded (WWTW) and the Military Wives Choir Foundation.
WWTW helps injured men and women develop new skills and find jobs after their armed service.
Shirley added: “We recorded a Christmas version of the Proclaimers hit 500 Miles and aim to raise large amounts of money for these charities and hopefully achieve a Christmas number one.
“In order to support us and reach this goal please download the new single this Christmas and bring some festive cheer while giving to charity.
“While the choir has afforded me some amazing adventures and opportunities we are most proud of our ability to use our voices to raise funds for some incredibly worthwhile causes.”
The choir has performed in some of the UK’s most iconic buildings including the Royal Albert Hall, St Paul’s Cathedral, and appeared on a London West End show. Even though Shirley and her husband have moved four times in 16 years, she said the wives welcomed her with open arms.
She said: “After moving to Chivenor from Dorset I found myself answering an advert in the newspaper for new members to join the Chivenor military wives choir and believed this would be a fantastic way to make new friends.
“The first visit was fairly daunting as I was walking into a choir who had already filmed a TV series with Gareth Malone and had six months previously had a number one Christmas single with Wherever You Are.
“Any worries were short-lived however, as I was welcomed with friendly smiles, open arms and plenty of tea and cake.”
The single is available through iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music and most major streaming services.
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