MND choir to join BGT’s Missing People’s Choir on charity album

A choir of people in Scotland affected by Motor Neurone Disease has been formed by the team behind the Missing People Choir – who featured on Britain’s Got Talent in 2017.

Inspired by the BBC One Lucy Lintott documentary ‘MND and 22-Year-Old-Me’, the choir are to feature on ‘Stand Together’ – a new Christmas album of cover songs by “Choirs With Purpose”.

Lucy, the youngest person in Scotland with the condition, will join the “Lucy Lintott/MND Scotland” choir as they record the song ‘Clouds’ by Zach Soiech on Saturday 14 October in Glasgow.

Zach wrote the song when he was just 17 years old after he was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer, and told he only had months to live.

’Stand Together’ is a charity concept album bringing together 1600 singers and 12 “Choirs With Purpose”, including the powerful Missing People Choir who became an internet sensation after reaching the finals of Britain’s Got Talent this year, alongside the chart topping NHS Choir (Christmas Number 1 2015) and the incredible Parrs Wood High School Choir who performed with Ariana Grande at the One Love Manchester Concert.

Sir Paul McCartney has given the album his backing and has waived all royalties on the re-release of his classic ‘We All Stand Together’ as the main single from the album, in aid of the charities involved.

Lucy Lintott said: “This is really exciting and I can’t wait to work on it with the James Hawkins team and MND Scotland. I have been really touched by all of the amazing comments I have been getting from people since the documentary aired and I never expected something like this to come from it. I’m tone deaf but am up for giving it a go.

“I chose ‘Clouds’ by Zach Sobiech because when I was first diagnosed this song really helped me through the difficult times. I can relate to Zach so much and this song is one of my all-time favourites. I’m so happy we’ve chosen to sing it.

“Every time I hear the song Clouds I can’t help but smile because to me it’s the soundtrack to my diagnosis. Clouds makes me feel safe, it reminds me that I’m not in this fight alone and wonderful things can come from your darkest days.”

Craig Stockton, CEO of MND Scotland, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to raise even more awareness of Motor Neurone Disease and for people affected by this disease to join together and show unity in the face of a devastating diagnosis.

“Lucy has been inspiring people across the country so it is no surprise that the team at James Hawkins Music have also been touched by Lucy’s story.

“I’d like to thank everyone who is taking part in the Lucy Lintott/MND Scotland Choir. I am sure Lucy’s song choice will resonate with others in a similar situation and I hope everyone goes out to buy a copy of the album.”

Music producer James Hawkins said: “What really struck me about Lucy’s documentary was her positivity and determination to do everything she could not to lose her voice, recording her natural speech in readiness for the future, and how important her music was to her.. I firmly believe that where words fail, music speaks, which is why we wanted to form a choir raise awareness of the condition and spread Lucy’s message further.”

The album ‘Stand Together’ by Choirs With Purpose will be released on 15 December and is available to pre-order now via www.pledgemusic.com/choirswithpurpose